January 2024
Updated Penalty Point System
PLEASE READ AND SIGN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BELOW
This must be completed to receive current year stickers
Lake Oswego Corporation (“LOC”) is adopting a new Penalty Point System as part of our lake patrol model for addressing violations of our rules and regulations. This new Penalty Point System replaces the existing penalty point system entirely. Each type of violation is assigned a certain number of points. More serious offenses have higher point values, whereas minor violations are assigned lesser point values. An Individual (defined below) who accumulates too many points faces boat license suspension during one or more Boating Seasons (defined below), or other license-related consequences. This point system does not supersede and is in addition to other enforcement mechanisms including, but not limited to, LOC issued fines, and citations issued by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office for violations of state laws.
An “Individual” is defined to include (i) a Shareholder, (ii) an Easement Member, (iii) a family member of a Shareholder or Easement Member, or (iv) a guest of a Shareholder or Easement Member. Points assessed against an Individual shall be included in the point total of the Shareholder family or the Easement Member family. If enforcement action is taken, it shall apply equally to each member of the Shareholder family or the Easement Member family.
Example #1. If a Shareholder is assessed six (6) points for a violation, and the Shareholder’s child is assessed three (3) points for a separate violation, the Shareholder’s family will have a running total of nine (9) accumulated points.
Example #2. If a Shareholder’s boating license is suspended, the boating license of each member of the Shareholder’s family is likewise suspended.
Point Values Per Offense
Point values are generally based on the seriousness of the offense as determined by the LOC Lake Patrol in its sole discretion. Point values may be increased and/or multiple points may be assessed for certain aggravating factors like injuries, damage to property, or where a violation involves particular recklessness. The LOC will track points issued to Individuals. The following are the point values assigned for the listed infractions.
Eighteen (18) Points
- Operating boat or non-powered watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Threatening the LOC Lake Patrol with abusive language and/or physical harm
Twelve (12) Points
- Failure to follow the direction of the LOC Lake Patrol
- Positive ballast inspection
- Improper wake enhancing device
Six (6) Points
- Reckless/unsafe operation of boat or non-powered watercraft
- Excessive speed
- No LOC operating license
- Underage operator
- Towing inside the buoy line
- Cruising inside buoy line
Four (4) Points
- Swimming or improperly operating a non-powered watercraft outside the buoy line
- Traveling in the wrong direction
- Personal Floatation Device (PFD) violation
- No high visibility apparel when required
- Following within 300 feet of a towed rider
- Crossing within 200 feet of a boat with a towed rider
- No spotter
- No “skier down” flag displayed
- Towing inflatable from tower
- Towing rider after sunset
Three (3) Points
- Wake violation (“mushing’)
- Excessive noise
- Overloading
- Inflatable use violation
- Gunwale/transom violation
- Failure to enter/exit between red and green buoys
- Navigation lights violation
- Failure to display current LOC tag
- Failure to display OR tag
- Displaying expired tags
- Harassing wildlife
An Individual who accumulates a certain number of points within a given time frame will have both their lake privileges and their family’s and guest’s lake privileges automatically suspended by the LOC for the length of time listed below.
- Nine (9) points earned within nine (9) months results in a two (2) week suspension
- Twelve (12) points earned within twelve (12) months results in a one (1) month suspension.
- Fifteen (15) points earned within eighteen (18) months results in a three (3) month suspension.
- Eighteen (18) points earned within twenty-four (24) months results in a six (6) month suspension.
Points assessed against an Individual are cumulative and remain in effect for twenty-four (24) months beginning with the date of the infraction. All suspensions shall be in effect during the Boating Season and shall remain in effect until the next Boating Season. Suspension period time served counts only during the Boating Season. The ”Boating Season” is defined as May 1 through October 31 of each calendar year.
Example #1: If an Individual’s lake privileges are suspended for three (3) months effective September 1, 2024, that Individual’s lake privileges will be reinstated on June 1, 2025.
- September 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024 – License suspended (two months)
- May 1, 2025 – May 31, 2025 – License suspended (one month)
Example #2: If an Individual’s lake privileges are suspended for six (6) months effective August 1, 2024, that Individual’s lake privileges will be reinstated on August 1, 2025.
- August 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024 – License suspended (three months)
- May 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025 – License suspended (three months)
Notice of Suspension of Lake Privileges
The Individual will be notified of the suspension of lake privileges by first class mail at the address on file at the LOC office. The LOC Safety Committee has final say in determining the lake privilege suspension period and beginning date.
Violation of Suspension
A violation of the suspension of lake privileges can result in criminal arrest and trespass charges against the Individual who violated the suspension. Violation of the suspension period can result in the further suspension of lake privileges as determined by the LOC Safety Committee.
Appeals Process
Appeals to violations or lake suspensions will be heard by the LOC Safety Committee at a properly called Safety Committee meeting. Appeals must be made in writing to the LOC office no later than fourteen (14) days after the date of the infraction. The Shareholder or Easement Member will be notified in writing as to the date, time and place of the appeal, mailed five (5) days in advance of the appeal meeting.
Appeals before the Safety Committee shall be informal. The LOC Lake Patrol and witnesses, if any, shall be heard first, followed by the alleged violator or Shareholder or Easement Member. Within fourteen (14) days following the appeal the Safety Committee, by a majority vote, shall render a written decision to be delivered by first class mail to the Shareholder or Easement Member at the address on file at the LOC office.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I confirm that I have thoroughly read and understand the Penalty Point System as outlined above. I acknowledge my agreement to these terms and will ensure that all members of my household are aware of the revised point system, and by providing this confirmation, I affirm that I agree to abide by the stipulations and requirements set forth in the document. I understand that my compliance is essential in order to receive my 2024 licensing.
Signed: Member Name Date: current date
