Lake Tahoe Mooring Lottery 2025: Buoy, Oh Buoy

Buoys, not blenders: Tahoe’s shoreline lottery returns October 1.

Starting October 1, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency kicks off its annual mooring lottery 2025 - where lakefront homeowners (and yes, even HOAs with shared docks) can compete for one of Tahoe’s rarest prizes: a buoy.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get a buoy on Lake Tahoe or what the Lake Tahoe buoy permit process actually looks like, here’s the insider playbook.

How the Mooring Lottery Works

• The cap is real. The 2018 Lake Tahoe Shoreline Plan set a hard ceiling on moorings. Each year, TRPA doles out a limited batch. HOAs don’t get a free pass - HOA dock and buoy rules fall under the same cap as private parcels.

• It’s a true lottery. Too many applicants? TRPA runs a drawing. Fewer applicants than allocations? Everyone moves forward.

• The fine print. Only parcels that physically touch the lake qualify. Single-family homes max out at two moorings. HOAs, marinas, and commercial properties play by their own rulebook - but they’re still part of the TRPA mooring lottery eligibility pool.

• The window. Applications open October 1 and close November 14. Miss the Tahoe mooring lottery deadline and you’re waiting another year.

Bottom line: buoys are scarce. Scarcer than a parking spot at Far East on a Saturday powder day. If you own lakefront property, this is the one lottery worth entering - because a legal buoy doesn’t just make boating easier, it adds value to Lake Tahoe lakefront property with buoy access.

👉 Full details and instructions: LakeTahoeInfo.org/moorings

FAQs: Tahoe Mooring Lottery 2025

Who can apply for the Tahoe mooring lottery?
Only shoreline property owners with parcels that directly adjoin Lake Tahoe are eligible. Single-family homes can apply for up to two moorings, while HOAs, marinas, and commercial properties must follow TRPA’s buoy permit process.

How many new moorings are available each year?
Allocations are capped under the 2018 Shoreline Plan. TRPA releases a limited batch annually until the lake-wide ceiling is reached.

How does the Lake Tahoe buoy permit process work?
If applications outnumber allocations, TRPA runs a random drawing. If not, every eligible applicant advances directly to the permitting stage. Winning the lottery only gives you the right to apply - permits still have to clear environmental and site requirements.

When is the application window for 2025?
Entries open October 1, 2025, and close November 14, 2025. Missing the mooring lottery deadline means waiting until the next cycle.

Do HOAs get special treatment in the mooring lottery?
No. Even if an HOA manages shared docks or moorings, they’re still subject to the cap and must enter the same TRPA lottery system as individual homeowners.

What does it cost to apply for a buoy permit?
TRPA charges application and annual registration fees for moorings. Additional scenic mitigation fees may apply depending on the property type.

What documents are needed to apply?
Applicants must prove lakefront ownership and show Best Management Practices (BMP) compliance for their parcel. HOAs typically need to show compliance for shared common areas as well.

How do buoy permits affect Lake Tahoe real estate value?
Buoy access is one of the most requested features in lakefront transactions. Buyers consistently pay a premium for Lake Tahoe lakefront property with buoy permits, making mooring rights a long-term asset.

Can I transfer a buoy permit if I sell my home?
Yes, buoy permits typically transfer with the property, provided the new owner maintains compliance with TRPA rules. This makes them a built-in value driver for sellers.

What happens if my buoy is unpermitted?
TRPA actively removes unauthorized moorings. Owners (or HOAs) caught with unpermitted buoys may face removal, penalties, and loss of eligibility in future lotteries.

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