Paddling rules
All 50 states, every rule from an official agency or statute page. Last checked Oct 26, 2026.
Your rules: state first, then your river or lake
All states
44 states don't require registration for a paddle-only kayak, canoe or SUP, and 6 do or depend on length. But 15 states need something before you launch: registration, a launch permit, or an invasive-species sticker, course or inspection.
Adding any motor, even electric, means registration in every state.
No registrationDepends on lengthRegistration requiredLaunch or access permitInvasive-species ruleExtra life jacket rule
50 states
AlabamaNo reg.AlaskaNo reg.ArizonaNo reg.ArkansasNo reg.CaliforniaNo reg.ColoradoNo reg.ConnecticutNo reg.Wear Oct 1–May 31DelawareNo reg.Tidal ramp certificateFloridaNo reg.GeorgiaNo reg.HawaiiNo reg.State ramp decalIdahoNo reg.AIS stickerIllinoisNo reg.IndianaNo reg.IowaReg. over 13 ftKansasNo reg.KentuckyNo reg.LouisianaNo reg.MaineNo reg.MarylandNo reg.MassachusettsNo reg.Wear Sep 15–May 15MichiganNo reg.MinnesotaReg. over 10 ftMississippiNo reg.MissouriNo reg.MontanaNo reg.AIS pass (nonresidents)NebraskaNo reg.NevadaNo reg.AIS decalNew HampshireNo reg.New JerseyNo reg.New MexicoNo reg.Wear alwaysNew YorkNo reg.Wear Nov 1–May 1North CarolinaNo reg.North DakotaNo reg.OhioReg. requiredOklahomaNo reg.OregonNo reg.Waterway Access PermitPennsylvaniaReg. dependsLaunch permitRhode IslandReg. over 12 ftSouth CarolinaNo reg.South DakotaReg. over 12 ftTennesseeNo reg.TexasNo reg.UtahNo reg.Mussel courseVermontNo reg.VirginiaNo reg.WashingtonNo reg.Inspection stopsWest VirginiaNo reg.WisconsinNo reg.WyomingNo reg.AIS decal + inspection
No chip for permits, stickers or life jackets means we didn't find a statewide paddlecraft rule on the official pages we checked, not that none exists. Open a state for details and sources.
Federal rules on every state's waters
- Life jacket: a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for each person aboard canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Children under 13 must wear one while underway unless the state sets its own age rule.
- Sound signal: carry a whistle or horn; your voice doesn't count.
- Light: from sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility, have a white light (flashlight or lantern) ready to show in time to prevent a collision.
- Night signals: manually propelled boats are exempt from daytime visual distress signals but must carry night signals on coastal waters after dark.
Sources: 33 CFR Part 175 · USCG Boater's Guide to Federal Requirements · USCG Boating FAQ