Registration/ Sticker/Flag Process Edit page

Vehicle/vessel Registration, boat launch process, sticker process and flags
Thomas Lakes is a private lake. To ensure our lake is protected from invasive species and to restrict lake access to only association members, the following process has been established (please read the whole process as some steps are time sensitive). 

• All watercraft with motors above 10 hp, including boats, pontoons, jet skis, as well as non-conventional vehicles including ATV/UTV and golf carts must be registered annually. Please refer to Thomas Lakes Rules and Regulations Section L if you have questions about this requirement. 
• Registration begins in January of each year. When you register your watercraft and motorized vehicles and pay the associated fee, you will receive TL stickers which are to be placed on your watercraft and motorized vehicles. These TL stickers indicate you have met all requirements (ie: Ne State Registrations, valid insurance, etc.). 
• Members shall not be allowed to have more than five land vehicles per property address. The first three land vehicles will be charged a normal rate for TL stickers, $25.00 prior to April 15th, $50.00 after April 15th. Land vehicles four and five will be at an increased TL sticker rate of $50.00 prior to April 15th, $100.00 after April 15th. (Exception: the $25.00 fee will apply to watercraft or non-conventional vehicle(s) purchased by new property owners and/or newly purchased watercraft or non-conventional vehicle(s) by current property owners after the April 15th deadline).  HOMEOWNERS' ACCOUNTS MUST BE CURRENT AND DUES PAID BEFORE TL STICKERS WILL BE ISSUED.

The Process to register and get TL stickers:

• Vehicle ID Form
  • All Thomas Lakes members must have a signature on file stating that they understand and will abide by all rules and regulations to receive TL stickers. The Watercraft/Non-Conventional Vehicle Identification Form serves that purpose. You may print a Vehicle ID form from the Vehicle ID tab on the website.  Fill out and sign the Vehicle Identification Form.  NOTE: YOU CAN USE A SINGLE VEHICLE ID FORM TO APPLY FOR ALL BOATS, UTVs, ATVs, AND GOLF CARTS.
• Insurance and NE State boat registration
  • All ATV, UTV and watercraft must be insured. Proof of liability insurance must be in Thomas Lakes members’ name as listed under Saunders County property records. The policy must clearly specify the vehicle/vessel make/model and show the effective and expiration dates. Updated copies of proof of insurance must be provided to Thomas Lakes Owners Association if/when your insurance expires. Golf carts do not require registration or proof of insurance. You MUST PROVIDE PAPER COPIES of NE State Boat registration and proof of insurance as required for each watercraft/vehicle to be registered with Thomas Lakes. Digital copies on a cell phone are not accepted.
    • Circle or highlight Expiration date of the policy and 
    • Circle or highlight Make/Model of each watercraft being registered
• Gather your supporting documentation 
  • DOCUMENTATION NEEDED:
    •  For Powered watercraft with motor over 10 hp:
      • 1. Copy of State Boat Registration – Must be current. State Watercraft Registration must be in the Thomas Lakes members’ name as listed under Saunders County property records.
      • 2. Copy of proof of liability insurance
    • For Non-conventional vehicles (ATV’s, UTV’s, and other approved land vehicles): 
      • 1. Copy of proof of liability insurance 
    • For Golf carts: 
      • Proof of liability insurance is not required; however, golf carts must be registered with the Thomas Lakes Owners Association. 
• Submit your Vehicle ID form, supporting documentation and payment in one of the following ways:
  • Send via US mail to Thomas Lakes Homeowners Association, PO box. 83, Ashland NE. 68003. MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 15TH TO RECEIVE TL STICKERS AT THE $25.00 PRICE.     Make sure you are not sending in expired documents.
  • Drop off at Chuck Greco’s home, 205 Melrose Drive. Chuck has a milk box on his porch where you can drop off documents and include a check for payment of TL stickers. Be sure you have PAPER COPIES of registrations and proof of insurance as required for each watercraft/vehicle to be registered and have included payment for each TL sticker ordered.
  • Come to an “In Person” sticker day. The location is Chuck Greco's home, 205 Melrose Dr. You will need to bring your completed Vehicle ID form, supporting documentation and payment. If you pay in cash, PLEASE BRING THE EXACT AMOUNT (we can’t make change). In Person sticker dates are:
    • Saturday April 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 
    • Saturday April 11th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  
• AFFIX LOT ID STICKERS. 
  • In addition to TL stickers, you must have LOT ID stickers affixed to your watercraft and land vehicles. Thomas Lakes identifying stickers should be on all vehicles. Your Thomas Lakes ID is the FIRST LETTER of your LAST NAME followed by 3 DIGITS of Thomas Lakes home address. For example if your last name is Bennet and you live at 123 Sandpiper Drive, your LOT ID sticker would be B123. 
• TETHERS 
  • ALL WATERCRAFT, INCLUDING NEW WATERCRAFT, MUST BE OUT OF ANY OTHER WATERS AND TETHERED FOR 10 DAYS PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO THOMAS LAKES WATERS.  This also applies to shore stations and boat docks that have not been installed in Thomas Lakes prior to this year. Tethers must remain intact from the previous year or you will need a new one. Once a new tether is placed, you must wait 10 days before you can launch your watercraft. If you need a new tether send an email to [email protected]. and arrangements will be made to have one put on.

Watercraft will NOT be launched into the lake without a current year TL sticker affixed.

Watercraft will NOT be launched into the lake without a LOT ID sticker affixed. 

Watercraft will not be launched into the lake without a tether. 

Homeowners' accounts must be current and assessment dues paid prior to receiving TL stickers. TL Stickers will not be issued without confirmation that accounts are current.

Two (2) weeks should be allowed for processing and handling vehicle/vessel registration requests. 

TL stickers will either be mailed to the address that is provided on the Vehicle ID Form or; to save postage costs, they can be delivered to you at your lake address. Please indicate on the Vehicle ID Form if you prefer TL stickers be sent via US mail. 

ENJOY YOUR TIME ON THE WATER
    Stay safe. Make sure to follow all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
    See the boat ramp schedule on the website for the volunteer schedule including times you can launch your watercraft.
    Please review the Zebra Mussel Protocol on our website. 

    For more information about other lake rules and regulations please read the Thomas Lakes Rules and Regulations.

Flags:

In addition to current year TL stickers and LOT ID stickers, land vehicles must also have a yellow Thomas Lakes flag affixed to them. You may obtain a flag when you register your vehicles(s). You do not need a new flag every year. If your yellow TL flag is damaged or lost, replacement flags cost $8. Please email [email protected] to arrange to get a replacement. If you are getting a TL sticker for a newly purchased TLOA approved non-conventional vehicle (one that has not been previously registered with Thomas Lakes), you will be issued a flag at no cost.