Where Lake Tahoe Pier Allocations Stand
For Lake Tahoe lakefront property owners and buyers, pier access can be a significant part of a property’s use, desirability, and long-term value. With a limited number of new private piers allowed under the Shoreline Plan, understanding how the remaining allocations work is increasingly important.
Where Lake Tahoe Pier Allocations Stand
The Shoreline Plan envisioned a maximum of 128 new private piers, including both multiple-parcel and single-parcel allocations.
The original plan called for 78 multiple-parcel pier allocations and 18 single-parcel pier allocations, with single-parcel piers heavily front-loaded during the early years of the 16-year allocation period.
So far:
35 multiple-parcel piers have been allocated
12 single-parcel piers have been allocated
47 total private piers have been allocated
That means opportunities for new private piers are becoming increasingly limited, particularly for individual lakefront parcels.
What Happens Next?
Since 2025 and continuing through 2031, only one single-parcel pier allocation is scheduled to be released. In 2033, another two single-parcel pier allocations are expected.
Beginning in 2027, additional multiple-parcel and single-parcel pier opportunities will continue to be released through 2033.
There is also an additional multiple-parcel allocation returning to the pool. A multiple-parcel pier allocation issued in 2025 was returned and is expected to become part of the 2027 reissuance.
Over the full 16-year allocation cycle, the current schedule provides for 43 additional multiple-parcel pier allocations and five additional single-parcel pier allocations through 2033.
What About the Remaining Pier Capacity?
There are still 33 piers within the overall 128-private-pier maximum that are not part of the currently scheduled allocations.
Under the TRPA Code, additional piers may potentially be made available through a retirement mechanism. The Code may permit three additional piers for every eight littoral parcels that retire future development potential through new deed restrictions, up to the 128-pier maximum.
However, this process may be difficult to achieve in practice.
The Tahoe Lakefront Owners’ Association (TLOA) may petition for a different method of releasing those remaining pier opportunities—potentially allowing them to be allocated more fairly without requiring eight littoral parcels to retire future development potential for every three additional piers.
Why This Matters for Lakefront Real Estate
For buyers considering Lake Tahoe lakefront property, the difference between having an existing pier, sharing a multiple-parcel pier, or hoping to secure a future pier allocation can be substantial.
As the number of available single-parcel allocations declines, existing permitted piers and other established boating amenities may become even more meaningful when evaluating lakefront property.
Likewise, owners of lakefront parcels without a pier should understand that simply owning shoreline does not mean a new private pier will automatically be available in the future.
Pier rights, permits, allocations, shared access agreements, buoys, shoreline structures, and other boating amenities should therefore be carefully investigated as part of the due-diligence process when buying or selling Lake Tahoe lakefront property.
The rules surrounding Lake Tahoe shoreline development are complex and can change. Property owners and buyers should verify current requirements and allocation availability directly with TRPA and the appropriate agencies before making decisions based on future pier potential.
For buyers or sellers considering Lake Tahoe lakefront property, understanding the shoreline amenities associated with a property is an important part of understanding its overall value and long-term potential.