# 33 C.F.R. § 2.38 (2026): Waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; waters over which the United States has jurisdiction

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_38

## Section

- **Citation:** 33 C.F.R. § 2.38 (2026)
- **Heading:** Waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; waters over which the United States has jurisdiction
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 33 CFR: Navigation and Navigable Waters / Chapter I: COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY / Part 2: JURISDICTION / Subpart B: Jurisdictional Terms / § 2.38: § 2.38   Waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States › waters over which the United States has jurisdiction.

## Text

Waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
and
waters over which the United States has jurisdiction
mean the following waters—
(a) Navigable waters of the United States, as defined in § 2.36(a).
(b) Waters, other than those under paragraph (a) of this section, that are located on lands for which the United States has acquired title or controls and—
(1) Has accepted jurisdiction according to 40 U.S.C. 255; or
(2) Has retained concurrent or exclusive jurisdiction from the date that the State in which the lands are located entered the Union.
(c) Waters made subject to the jurisdiction of the United States by operation of the international agreements and statutes relating to the former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and waters within the territories and possessions of the United States.

## Nearby sections

- [33 C.F.R. § 2.20 (2026) § 2.20   Territorial sea baseline.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_20.md)
- [33 C.F.R. § 2.22 (2026) § 2.22   Territorial sea.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_22.md)
- [33 C.F.R. § 2.24 (2026) § 2.24   Internal waters.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_24.md)
- [33 C.F.R. § 2.26 (2026) § 2.26   Inland waters.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_26.md)
- [33 C.F.R. § 2.28 (2026) § 2.28   Contiguous zone.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_28.md)
- [33 C.F.R. § 2.30 (2026) § 2.30   Exclusive Economic Zone.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_30.md)
- [33 C.F.R. § 2.32 (2026) § 2.32   High seas.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_32.md)
- [33 C.F.R. § 2.34 (2026) § 2.34   Waters subject to tidal influence; waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; mean high water.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_34.md)
- [33 C.F.R. § 2.36 (2026) § 2.36   Navigable waters of the United States, navigable waters, and territorial waters.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_36.md)
- [33 C.F.R. § 2.38 (2026) § 2.38   Waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; waters over which the United States has jurisdiction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_38.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T33_P2_S2_38. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.