According to the most recent baseline survey (2017-2018) Amsterdam has about 2800 houseboats legally moored. These houseboats range from small, simple structures to custom-built, multi-story floating homes, as well as converted commercial vessels. There are a further 65 houseboats that illegally occupy berths. The survey is a precursor to adaptation of municipal policies, as well as a different approach to licensing, supervision and enforcement of rules with regard to houseboats. (e.g. some houseboats are legally used as hotels; others are not) In other words, the City wants to get a better grip on the houseboats. It wants to enforce certain rules, such as making sure boats are not larger than permitted, are not neglected, and that they are not used for other purposes than to live in. Beyond that, the Municipality also wants to eventually be able to create more distance between the boats — for safety reasons, but also to allow for a better view of the water. The City also needed to inventory available berths, of which there are precious few. Soon, some houseboats may be forced to move, in order to solve nautical bottlenecks. Too, now that the City has finally embarked on a program to repair long-neglected quays and banks, houseboats will temporarily need to be moored elsewhere. By the way, if you take into account Metropolitan Amsterdam as well (which the Amsterdam Tourist Board would really like for you to do), there are some 3.600 houseboats in Amsterdam and region.