Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay

For service providers

1. Business license: A San Mateo County Fictitious Business Name statement or a City of South San Francisco business license, and a seller's permit if applicable.
2. Insurance: general liability $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate; an additional-insured endorsement naming “District, its directors, officers, agents and employees”.
3. Commercial Services Activity Permit: $68 per year; a percent-of-sales fee may also apply. (The broader Commercial Activity Permit is $334/yr at Pillar Point or $336/yr at Oyster Point, +$100/yr per extra harbor, possible $500 deposit.).
4. Apply: Submit the application with insurance and business documents. The District's web page says permits must be approved by the Board of Commissioners before business activity starts (the application PDF refers to General Manager approval).

Permit or registration

Commercial Services Activity Permit: $68 per year; a percent-of-sales fee may also apply. (The broader Commercial Activity Permit is $334/yr at Pillar Point or $336/yr at Oyster Point, +$100/yr per extra harbor, possible $500 deposit.)

Renewal: Calendar year (January 1 – December 31)

Staff: Only the applicant or employees named in advance may do the work.

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Neither application names hull cleaning or mobile mechanics; the $68 services permit (“sales or services to the general public”) looks like the fit, but confirm which permit the District wants for your work.

Last verified November 11, 2026

Insurance

General liability: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate

Additional insured: District, its directors, officers, agents and employees

• Comprehensive general liability with a Broad Form endorsement
• At least 30 days' written notice of cancellation
• If you operate a vessel under the permit: hull, machinery and P&I, including towing

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Last verified November 11, 2026

Business license

A San Mateo County Fictitious Business Name statement or a City of South San Francisco business license, and a seller's permit if applicable.

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Last verified November 11, 2026

On site

• Work only within the facility's operating hours.
• Work only in areas designated by District staff.

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Last verified November 11, 2026

How to apply

Submit the application with insurance and business documents. The District's web page says permits must be approved by the Board of Commissioners before business activity starts (the application PDF refers to General Manager approval).

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Last verified November 11, 2026

For boat owners

Slip fees

Monthly, July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 (up 2.2%): Pillar Point 30 ft $365–$394, 40 ft $480–$506 depending on dock; Oyster Point 30 ft $313–$324, 40 ft $432–$444 (single vs double finger).

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Last verified November 11, 2026

Living aboard

Live Aboard Permit $484/month plus a $484 security deposit; limited to 10% of slips.

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Last verified November 11, 2026

Also check with the marina

Full rules and notes for Pillar Point Harbor & Oyster Point Marina

Other harbors in San Francisco Bay Area

• South Beach Harbor · liability $1M per occurrence (the January 2026 vendor application asks for $1M; the harbor rules effective January 1, 2026 still say $500K)
• San Francisco Marina · liability $500K per occurrence ($500K is from the 2012 Marina Rules; the vendor portal states no limit)
• PIER 39 Marina · liability Required; amount not published
• Clipper Yacht Harbor (Sausalito) · liability $1M per occurrence
• Grand Marina (Alameda) · liability $1M per occurrence
• Westpoint Harbor (Redwood City) · liability $1M per occurrence
• KKMI boatyard (Point Richmond) · liability $1M per occurrence (the agreement sets $1M per occurrence; KKMI's sample certificate shows $2M aggregate)
• Brickyard Cove Marina (Point Richmond) · liability $1M per occurrence
• Berkeley Marina

Compare vendor requirements across California · How to hire a marine contractor