User Fee Schedule – Effective January 1, 2026
PROCESSING FEES – A $10.00 FEE WILL BE CHARGED TO BOATERS FOR IN-PERSON RENEWALS.*
*NO FEE FOR ONLINE RENEWALS/NEW REGISTRATION* $2.00 FEE FOR IN-PERSON TEMPORARY PERMITS
A 2.5% FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR ALL CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS.
OUT-OF-STATE FEE – A fee of $50.00 per permit will be charged for boats registered outside the State of Illinois. Proof of State registration may be required. One-day and ten-day permits and non-motorized watercraft that don’t require state registration numbers are exempt.
CLASS A – Motor-powered boats 15 HP or less $ 60.00
CLASS B – Motor-powered boats, personal watercraft, & jet skis over 15 HP, NOT exceeding 25 feet in length $ 125.00
CLASS C – Motor-powered boats over 15 HP, greater than 25 feet in length, NOT exceeding 30 feet in length $ 210.00
CLASS E – Motor-powered boats over 15 HP & greater than 30 feet in length $ 250.00
CLASS X – NON-Motor-powered boats (Exempt from out-of-state fee) $ 20.00
CLASS W – Any boat involved in waterfowl hunting activity, WITHOUT A CURRENT STICKER. (Available August 1st thru December 31st, yearly. A current valid hunting license is required to purchase a sticker and any applicable out-of-state fees.) $ 45.00
TEMPORARY PERMITS:
CLASS J – 1-Day Temporary Permit – Any length. To be used on the day of issue only.
*Online purchase, permit is VALID FOR 24 HOURS – ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE ONLY. $ 25.00
CLASS F – 10-Day Temporary Permit – Any length. To be used for 10 consecutive days. $ 75.00
COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT – An additional fee will be charged for any commercial boats using the system for business purposes, including, but not limited to: dealer boats, towboats, work boats, barges, tour boats, party boats, food service, fishing guides, and rentals. (Fox Waterway Agency Office, In-Person purchase only)
Dealer Boats – Various lengths. $ 250.00
Work/Rental Boats – Class B, C, E, or X; based on length, Doubled Rate
LOST STICKERS – The holder of a user fee sticker that has been lost shall be re-issued a user fee sticker for the balance of the year upon the filing of an application and payment of a $20.00 fee. Proof of original purchase is required.
No replacements after 90 days from the date of purchase. (Lost stickers can only be processed at the Fox Waterway Agency Office.)
TRANSFER POLICY – There is a $5.00 charge for a sticker transfer plus any charges for an upgrade in class. Applies to the original owner only. Original stickers must be returned when applying for a transfer. (Fox Waterway Agency Office only.)
DUPLICATE PURCHASES – Refunds requested for duplicate permit purchases for the same boat and same owner, shall be issued upon proof of duplicate purchase and return of one set of permits in reusable condition. The refund will be for the sticker fee only, less a $20.00 fee. Requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of purchase. (Duplicate sticker refunds can only be processed at the Fox Waterway Agency Office.)
REFUND POLICY – NO REFUNDS will be issued after April 1st of each boating season.
RETURNED CHECK POLICY – A $30.00 fee will be applied to all returned checks.
***VIOLATIONS OR NON-COMPLIANCE OF USER FEE ORDINANCE COULD RESULT IN A FINE OF UP TO $1,000 AND WATERWAY ACCESS TO BE REVOKED***
