Water Recreation Shuttle Permitting

The Water Recreation Shuttle Permit applications are for any water-oriented recreation outfitter that is planning on shuttling individuals to and from the rivers inside the New Braunfels city limits. A water recreation shuttle vehicle is described as every automobile or motor-propelled vehicle used for the transportation of individuals in connection with tubing, rafting, or similar water recreation activities within the city limits. A vehicle shall be deemed to be a "shuttle vehicle" whether or not the vehicle operates on a regular fixed-route within the city and whether or not the business operating the vehicle is principally located within the city limits, so long as the vehicle is operating on the public streets of the City. As of January 1, 2011, the only allowable shuttle vehicles will be those designed by the manufacturer to commercially carry passengers.

Please have Applications in by April 15th, 2023, and if there are any additional permits left the application/payment will be due by May 1st, 2023.

Fill out the Application for Water Recreation Shuttle Vehicle Permit This link will be live on January 1st, 2023. 

The Maximum Number of Available Water Recreation Shuttle Permits (including permit renewals):
2023 Comal River Shuttle Permits: 100
2023 Guadalupe River Shuttle Permits: 50

**If you are wanting to complete a Water Recreation Shuttle Vehicle Permit Renewal you can located the correct form on your River Outfitter SmartSheet Dashboard**

For additional information please contact the River Operations Office at RiverOperations@newbraunfels.gov

The fee for a Water Recreation Shuttle Vehicle Permit is $50 per vehicle per permit. If you are requesting a permit for one vehicle for both the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, then two permits will need to be acquired and paid for.

*Effective May 1, 2021, all credit/debit card transactions will incur a 2.75% processing fee. 

Penalties for violation of article:

Any person or agent who shall violate a provision of this article or who fails to comply therewith shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of the provisions of this article is committed or continued, and upon conviction in the court of jurisdiction for any such violation, such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00. A Guadalupe or Comal River permit shall be suspended until compliance is attained, or in the event of safety violations or repeated delinquent payments revoked immediately. Operating a river shuttle in disregard of the city manager's order to cease operating shall be considered a separate offense punishable under this section. The city manager may place additional requirements which must be met and maintained prior to withdrawing a suspension order of a suspended Guadalupe or Comal River permit. Revoked Guadalupe or Comal River permits may be reissued by the city manager according to substantially the terms of this article.

Learn more about the Water Recreation Shuttle Permit.