Blogs

Life Jacket Laws for Paddle Boarding by State (Alphabetical Order)

Life Jacket Laws for Paddle Boarding by State (Alphabetical Order)

Key Highlights:

  • Life Jacket Laws: Most states require life jackets for paddle boarders, especially for children under a certain age (usually 13).

  • Extra Restrictions: Some states have additional rules for specific bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, or coastal areas.

  • US Territories: Life jacket laws in US territories generally follow similar guidelines to mainland states.

  • Enforcement: Penalties for non-compliance can include fines or other legal consequences.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article regarding life jacket laws for paddle boarding is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. However, laws and regulations are subject to change, and this article does not include every body of water's specific rules or extra regulations (e.g., Causey Reservoir in Utah). It is the reader's responsibility to verify the current laws and any special regulations for the specific body of water they plan to use. Always check with local authorities, state agencies, or official resources to ensure compliance with the most up-to-date requirements. Safety on the water is paramount, and staying informed is key to a safe and enjoyable experience.

Alabama

  • General Law: Life jackets must be available for each person on the paddle board. Children under 8 must wear a life jacket at all times.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Tennessee River, additional safety equipment like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Alabama Marine Police

Alaska

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for all paddle boarders, regardless of age.

  • Extra Restrictions: In glacial waters, a dry suit or wet suit is also recommended.

  • Official State Law: Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Arizona

  • General Law: Life jackets must be on board for each person. Children under 12 must wear them at all times.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Powell, additional safety gear like a sound-producing device is required.

  • Official State Law: Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arkansas

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Buffalo National River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

California

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: In San Francisco Bay, additional safety gear like a leash is recommended.

  • Official State Law: California Division of Boating and Waterways

Colorado

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Colorado River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Connecticut

Delaware

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: In the Delaware Bay, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Florida

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 6. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: In the Florida Keys, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Georgia

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Lanier, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Hawaii

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: In Waikiki, additional safety gear like a leash is recommended.

  • Official State Law: Hawaii Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation

Idaho

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 14. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Snake River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation

Illinois

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Michigan, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Indiana

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Ohio River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Iowa

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Mississippi River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Kansas

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Tuttle Creek Lake, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Kentucky

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Kentucky River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Louisiana

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 16. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: In the Atchafalaya Basin, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Maine

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Maryland

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 7. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Chesapeake Bay, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Massachusetts

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Charles River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Massachusetts Environmental Police

Michigan

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 6. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Great Lakes, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Boundary Waters, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Mississippi

Missouri

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 7. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Missouri River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Missouri Department of Conservation

Montana

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Yellowstone River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Nebraska

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Platte River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Nevada

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Mead, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Nevada Department of Wildlife

New Hampshire

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Winnipesaukee, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: New Hampshire Marine Patrol

New Jersey

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Delaware River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau

New Mexico

  • General Law:

    • Children under 13 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the vessel is underway, unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

    • All vessels must have at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board.

  • Extra Restrictions:

    • Every person boating on a river must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

    • Operators of kayaks or canoes must have a sound-producing device (e.g., whistle or horn) on board.

  • Official State Law: New Mexico State Parks

New York

North Carolina

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Outer Banks, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

North Dakota

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Missouri River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Ohio

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Erie, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Oklahoma

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Arkansas River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

Oregon

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Columbia River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Oregon State Marine Board

Pennsylvania

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Delaware River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Rhode Island

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Narragansett Bay, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

South Carolina

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Murray, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

South Dakota

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 7. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Missouri River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

Tennessee

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Tennessee River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Texas

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Travis, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Texas Parks and Wildlife

Utah

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Colorado River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Utah State Parks

Vermont

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Champlain, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife

Virginia

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the James River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Washington

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Puget Sound, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Washington State Parks

West Virginia

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the New River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Wisconsin

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On Lake Michigan, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Wyoming

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Snake River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.

  • Official State Law: Wyoming Game and Fish Department

US Territories

Puerto Rico

US Virgin Islands

Guam

  • General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.

  • Extra Restrictions: On the Pacific Ocean, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.

  • Official State Law: Guam Department of Agriculture

American Samoa

Northern Mariana Islands