Whether renovating atop an existing log float, or crafting a new float from concrete or timber, Dyna approaches each floating home with intention and care. We understand the nuances of envelope constraints, shoreline permitting, environmental regulations, and strict height limits – and we navigate these waters daily, managing multiple floating home projects at once. And we don’t just build on the water – we come from it. Our founder Ren Chandler and our floating home project manager Scott Smith are both lifelong sailors, and many of us at Dyna spend our free time kayaking, paddleboarding, or boating. We build homes that honor the spirit of life on the water – rooted in craftsmanship, respect for the environment, and a deep love of Seattle’s waterways.

Having built our first floating home in Portage Bay in 2009, today we are the only construction company in Seattle with a permanent shoreside facility to build new concrete floats and construct multiple water-bound homes simultaneously. The Dyna Docks represent our roots in Seattle’s maritime culture, where we’ve helped shape a community of homes on the water. What we build isn’t just a structure – it’s a way of life.

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History & Community

Floating homes have been part of Seattle’s story from the beginning – first as rough shelters for loggers, then as permanent residences for fishermen, boatbuilders, and even the occasional bootlegger. By the 1920s, more than 2,000 houseboats dotted the city’s waterways, each reflecting the hands that built them – some finely crafted by maritime tradesmen, others cobbled together from salvaged logs and debris during the Great Depression. The decades that followed brought fierce challenges: urban renewal efforts in the 1950s, eviction battles in the ’70s and ’80s, and growing pressure to redevelop shoreline property. But residents fought back – organizing, forming co-ops, building infrastructure, and even taking their case to the State Supreme Court to protect their homes and way of life.

The result is a rare and resilient community. Today, Seattle’s floating homes are legal, regulated, and celebrated – built not just from tradition, but with modern materials and deep respect for the environment. What began as a renegade lifestyle has become one of the most sought-after and tightly knit communities in the city. Docks that once skirted eviction notices now boast long-term leases or co-op ownership, and while the number of floating homes has decreased, their character and charm have only deepened. These homes remain a physical link to the city’s maritime roots and a living reminder of the grit, ingenuity, and heart that define Seattle.

Across Lake Union’s 70 docks, 507 floating homes make up a vibrant, close-knit community spread across four distinct neighborhoods: Eastlake, Westlake, Northlake, Portage Bay and the University District. Each offers its own personality: Eastlake is lively and social with great views of downtown Seattle and Gasworks Park, Portage Bay is tucked away with great views to the east, and the University dock hums with campus energy. Many are now resident-owned co-ops, giving homeowners a meaningful stake in their communities and in the stewardship of Seattle’s iconic waterfront lifestyle.

Finally, you might be wondering, what’s the difference between a floating home and a houseboat? A floating home is a stationary residence with no motor, permanently moored and hooked up to utilities – essentially, a house that happens to float. A houseboat, on the other hand, is a vessel with propulsion and steering. Basically, if it can cruise off into the sunset, it’s not a floating home.

Seattle Floating Home Locations

Map of Lake Union in Seattle showing five Seattle Floating Homes communities with numbered locations, docks, and lists of home and dock counts for Northlake, Westlake, Eastlake, Portage Bay, and University.
Map of Lake Union area showing neighborhoods Westlake, Northlake, Eastlake, Portage Bay, and University with corresponding numbers of Seattle Floating Homes in each area.