San Diego Yacht Club Marina, San Diego

For service providers

1. In-Water Hull Cleaning Permit (bay-wide, for hull-cleaning businesses): $250.
2. If you clean hulls: No business may clean hulls in the water without a Port In-Water Hull Cleaning Permit (District Code §4.14, Ordinance 3025, 2021).
3. Apply: Email the Port's hull-cleaning program at hullcleaning@portofsandiego.org; the Port says appointments are required for any permit transaction.

Permit or registration

In-Water Hull Cleaning Permit (bay-wide, for hull-cleaning businesses): $250

Renewal: Per the expiration date on the permit. The Port's permit list (effective 10/5/2026) says it is honoring all active permits and there is no need to renew at this time.

Staff: One permit per business; the permittee is responsible for every person working under it, and the Port lists each business's authorized divers.

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The Port says it is “currently reviewing and seeking to update existing policies related to in-water hull cleaning.” Re-check before relying on it.

Last verified November 11, 2026

Hull cleaning and paint work

• No business may clean hulls in the water without a Port In-Water Hull Cleaning Permit (District Code §4.14, Ordinance 3025, 2021).
• Marinas, mooring companies and yacht clubs must see proof of a valid permit before any in-water hull cleaning, keep copies for 90 days after the permit expires, and notify the Port within one business day if they find unpermitted cleaning.
• Cleaning must follow industry best management practices (BMPs), and cleaning that leaves a visible paint plume or cloud is prohibited.
• Each permitted business files a BMP Plan Verification & Training Form listing the divers it has trained.
• Zinc anode changes and underwater work on shafts, running gear and through-hulls are not “in-water hull cleaning” under the ordinance.

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Last verified November 11, 2026

How to apply

Email the Port's hull-cleaning program at hullcleaning@portofsandiego.org; the Port says appointments are required for any permit transaction.

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Last verified November 11, 2026

For boat owners

Slip fees

The Port does not set slip rates; each marina does. Example: Kona Kai Marina publishes month-to-month permanent slips from $32/ft (30 ft) to $70/ft (100 ft), with no effective date, and lists liveaboard at $600/month.

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Last verified November 11, 2026

Copper paint and hull cleaning

If you hire someone to clean your hull in San Diego Bay, they need the Port's In-Water Hull Cleaning Permit, and your marina is required to check it. The Port encourages boaters to consider converting to alternative (non-copper) hull paints.

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Last verified November 11, 2026

Pump-out

The Port lists eight public pump-out stations around the bay. All are free except Safe Harbor Marina Sunroad (free for members, $25 for the public). The Shelter Island Harbor Police / transient docks station at 1401 Shelter Island Dr. is open 24 hours.

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Last verified November 11, 2026

Also check with the marina

Full rules and notes for San Diego Bay (Port of San Diego)

Other harbors in Southern California

• Seaforth Marina (Mission Bay) · liability $500K per occurrence
• Dana Point Harbor
• Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) · liability Required; amount not published
• Long Beach marinas (Alamitos Bay, Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor)
• Marina del Rey
• Ventura Harbor · liability $1M per occurrence
• Channel Islands Harbor
• Santa Barbara Harbor · liability $500K for minor maintenance such as cleaning and detailing or $2M for major repair and commercial diving, per occurrence

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