Along with state law for all waterways in Texas, there are several ordinances the City of Austin has implemented, such as illegal bridge jumping, swimming areas on area lakes, personal watercraft bans on certain holidays, music levels from your boat, etc. For all questions regarding city ordinances, please use the following link: City of Austin Ordinances

The water of Texas is regulated by Texas Parks and Wildlife. The APD patrols these three bodies of water in Austin :   Walter E. Long, Lady Bird, and Lake Austin.

Anytime while boating, there are five pieces of safety equipment that are required to be on your vessel at all times:

• Certificate of Number that is issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife upon registering your boat
• A lifejacket for every person onboard the vessel that is readily accessible.  Children under the age of thirteen are required to wear a lifejacket at all times while on a vessel.  All persons riding on a personal watercraft (PWC) must wear a lifejacket at all times.
• A Type 4 flotation device must be present onboard all vessels that is readily accessible.
• A sound producing device must be in working condition, whether it be a boat horn or a whistle.
• A fire extinguisher that is fully charged.

To become more familiar with the city ordinances that pertain to Lady Bird Lake, such as illegal bridge jumping, no gasoline powered vessels on the lake, no swimming in Lady Bird Lake, etc, follow the link to the City of Austin ordinances.