The self describer "river rat" is used by the community to refer to anyone on the Mississippi River who partakes in their houseboat lifestyle. The river rats prefer to use the term "boathouse" rather than "houseboat" for a number of reasons; one reason is due to the legal restraints placed on the use of "houseboats" in the area. Another is the sentiment that because their residences are designed to be houses permanently docked at one location, the term "boathouse" is a better describer than "houseboat", which are usually designed to be boats first and residences second.

“Floating structures moved into the City of Winona shall comply with the regulations for new construction.

1. Anchorage: All boathouses and docks shall be securely anchored to land by ropes, cables, and/or spuds with at least one anchor being noncombustible to prevent free floating in case of fire. Structures shall be so anchored to allow for fluctuating water levels and hold them in a relatively fixed position.

2. Floatation: All new structures shall use plastic barrels for floatation. Replacement barrels for existing structures shall be plastic.

3. Physical and Structural Requirements: A. All boathouses shall have a roof so constructed as to sustain snow loads of 30 lbs. per square foot for all boathouses. The authority having jurisdiction may require additional bracing to roof framing if, in his opinion, existing framing is not adequate. B. All boathouse roofs shall be water impervious. C. Floors shall be constructed to meet a 40 pound per square foot uniform live load. D. All lumber used in the construction of the structure's platform, or lumber which is exposed to the weather and not properly protected shall be pressure treated”. - From CONSTRUCTION CODE FOR FLOATING STRUCTURES

Taken in the spring 2024