Boat Slip Lease Agreement Template (Canada)
Updated on August 15, 2026
Many Canadian marinas sit on Crown land rather than land the marina itself owns outright. In British Columbia, for example, a marina typically starts with a one-year temporary licence, then moves to a lease or licence of occupation once a development plan is approved — and a residential licence of occupation for private moorage is capped at 30 years. Other provinces and federal harbour authorities run their own separate frameworks.
This template flags the marina's own tenure because a slip lease is derivative of it: if the underlying Crown land tenure lapses or isn't renewed, that limits what the marina can actually offer a slip holder, no matter what the slip agreement itself says.
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Boat Slip Lease Agreement
- Date:
- Marina:
- Owner:
grants the right to use slip for the vessel from to , within the limits of its own Crown land tenure.
1. Fee
The slip fee is , payable in advance.
2. Insurance
The owner will maintain liability insurance of at least and provide proof before mooring.
3. General
This agreement is governed by the laws of Canada and the applicable province, and by the marina's own Crown land tenure.
Marina
Date:
Owner
Date:
The marina's own tenure is Crown land, with its own term
In British Columbia, a commercial marina typically progresses from a one-year temporary licence to a lease or licence of occupation for marina development, while a residential licence of occupation for private moorage is capped at 30 years.
Commercial moorage rent can be a revenue share, not a flat fee
Under BC's Crown land policy, rental for the moorage component of a commercial marina can be structured as a percentage of gross moorage income — 3.5% for the first 15 years and 4% for the next 15 — rather than a fixed annual fee.
What each clause does
- Slip
- Location and dimensions.
- Vessel
- Vessel dimensions and details.
- Insurance
- Proof of liability insurance required before mooring.
Legal considerations in Canada
A marina's own Crown land tenure sets the limits within which it can offer a slip.
Check the marina's own Crown land tenure
In BC, marinas operate under a Crown land lease or licence of occupation with its own term, following an initial one-year temporary licence stage.
Government of British Columbia — Land use: marinas and yacht clubsAsk for proof of insurance before mooring
Ask for proof of liability insurance before the vessel is moored at the slip.
How to complete the slip lease
- State the slip and vessel. Dimensions of both.
- Check the marina's own tenure. Confirm the agreement doesn't outlast it.
- State the insurance. Insurer and scope of coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Why does this agreement mention the marina's own tenure?
Because many Canadian marinas operate on Crown land under their own lease or licence of occupation, and a slip lease can't outlast the marina's own right to occupy the site.
What happens if the marina's Crown land tenure isn't renewed?
The marina's right to offer slips ends with its own tenure unless it's renewed — check the term before signing a multi-year slip agreement.
Do I need to show insurance before mooring?
Yes — ask for proof of liability insurance before the vessel is moored.
What if my boat is bigger than the slip?
Check the vessel's and the slip's dimensions before signing — an oversized boat can cause problems for neighbouring slips.
Do I need a lawyer for this agreement?
Not for an ordinary slip agreement, though it's worth reviewing the marina's own tenure terms for a longer-term commitment.
Related templates
Disclaimer
This template and guide are for general information only and are not legal advice. Check the specific marina's own Crown land or provincial tenure before signing.
