Sausalito Floating Homes Association
Services & Business Directory
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What is a Floating Home? A Floating Home is a legally-permitted structure, with no means of self-propulsion, which occupies a permanent berth and is subject to property taxes. It complies with all applicable codes and is connected to all utilities and services, including water, sewage, electricity, gas, telephone, and cable television. Floating home marinas are privately owned and charge homeowners monthly berthage fees. The FHA conducts a tour of our community, once each year, and invite your participation. You will have an opportunity to view a representative sampling of open homes, and learn more about the residents and the environment. History of Sausalito Floating Homes. Houseboats of Sausalito by Phil Frank The houseboat community in the county can be traced to the 1800s, when arks began to anchor in Belvedere Cove and along Corte Madera Creek; the first third of the Franks' book documents those areas. In Sausalito, the state began selling underwater lots to be filled for development as a way to raise money in the early part of the 20th century. In Sausalito, it ended up in private hands and marinas were developed. After World War II, decommissioned boats including landing craft, lifeboats and tugboats, were turned into floating homes for people who found it an inexpensive way to live. Artists and beatniks moved into houseboats and the community was born. In the 1960s and early 1970s, young families abounded and the community had a distinctive counterculture feel. "What I tried to capture was the creative spirit that was in the houseboat community," said Bruce Forrester, whose photos are featured in the book. "People there would see anything as a cause for celebration." But toward the latter part of the 1970s, Marina development threatened that way of life and Forrester's eye caught images of houseboaters trying to block pile-driving work during the "Houseboat Wars" period, which led to concessions by builders. "This was low-cost housing and people felt their lifestyle was under siege," he said. "They made a real stand."
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