Beach vehicle permit ordinance changes

I inquired and was told it is about how the tax collector issues permits and who it, not about stopping people from driving on the beach.

I inquired and was told it is about how the tax collector issues permits and who it, not about stopping people from driving on the beach.

If they are going to stop people from building bonfires from May until November because of the turtles, then they ought to stop them from driving on the beach. But it is good that they are looking at the patently unconstitutional requirements that they have implemented for driving permits. I remember asking a commissioner about that years ago and he said he needed to have something special reserved for walton county property owners that the tourist could not do also.

So much for fairness and the US Constitution.

OK...take back Stop

Limited number of permits issued...a change in the rules as to who might or might not be qualified to get permit...maybe less permits...maybe wrong to say stop driving on beach...but the other two Walton beaches that folks could drive on disappeared without too much fan fare...after one of these type meetings where the driving on beach ordinance was being looked at....I would still stay on top of it.

It is my understanding that if your vehicle in not permitted in Walton Co,Florida, a permit will not be issued.

I know nothing about it one way or the other...except that most of us were outraged way back when we were stopped from driving on the beach whereever we could (except for state parks, and the only one at that point was Grayton). So, a compromise was reached for Grayton and Inlet Beach. The access at One Seagrove Place stayed open for a time (that was a fun hill to be in the back of a truck on!) Then runoff or something closed it. A turtle took up labor and delivery at the Inlet Beach access, or so we were told. So, that left Grayton.

The primary reason for keeping driving accesses was so that residents and those who had summer homes here could launch boats. Without the accesses, there is nowhere in Walton County to launch directly into the Gulf, and it's a hail of a long way around and back via the Bay. The vehicle w/o boat permits were just to keep a semblance of how it's always been for those who have lived here or invested here.

I haven't heard what is or isn't being looked at, but the number of permits has increased exponentionally over the last 15 years and it's basically a zoo out there. When our office still issued them, we had complaints about people with "ugly boat trailers" blocking the view of the Gulf. We also would get people who would become visibly upset after paying for their permit and then reading the paperwork explaining that you can only drive 500 feet east and west. There is also a contingent that has no plans to drive on the beach, but that decal is a status symbol.

If it has to be restricted any further, keep the boat launch open. But perhaps that should be the only reason.

If I were a local, I wouldn't like a "no vehicles except for boat launching" rule. It's a long way to the potty if you're at the edge of the water on Grayton Beach and need to go. Plus it's a long walk to/from the beach for little kids and old folks.

If they are going to stop people from building bonfires from May until November because of the turtles, then they ought to stop them from driving on the beach. But it is good that they are looking at the patently unconstitutional requirements that they have implemented for driving permits. I remember asking a commissioner about that years ago and he said he needed to have something special reserved for walton county property owners that the tourist could not do also.

So much for fairness and the US Constitution.

please wrobert. Driving on the beach is a privilege for property-owning locals who want to pay to do so. We live here year round and many of us enjoy the convenience of driving our kayaks and chairs down to the beach several times a week. permits need to be limited - and this is a totally fair and common sense way to do it. It is our county and our responsibility to protect our beaches and ourselves from the masses of unsafe/inexperienced beach drivers from all over the country. Tourists on the roads are bad enough sometimes. you really think they need to drive on our beaches? this is not a constitutional issue. its a local safety, good common sense issue.

now, whether or not we need to continue having even locals drive on the beach is another matter entirely. The number of cars/trucks on the beach in the last 5 years or so has gotten out of hand during peak months. I believe it is becoming unsafe, at least during June and July, and big holidays such as Memorial Day.

can you even imagine if every local and every visitor was allowed access to the beach via 4-wheel car or truck? we would have even more stuck vehicles, and before you know it, people will just abandon stuck cars out in the sand along with their BA tents. BAD idea. Let's not invite disaster to our beaches.

Robert - do you live anywhere near here? just wondering.

If I were a local, I wouldn't like a "no vehicles except for boat launching" rule. It's a long way to the potty if you're at the edge of the water on Grayton Beach and need to go. Plus it's a long walk to/from the beach for little kids and old folks.

Not far at all if you are at Gulfview Heights, really close if you are at Fort Panic, or even Inlet Beach with their new bathrooms. btw, Grayton has no public bathrooms at all, yet. ;-)

The only reason Grayton is groovy is that people can drive and it's like old home week down there. I grew up on the beach at Grayton, but between the truck traffic and the sheer number of people, I do not go to the beach there anymore except for special occasions. Far too crowded.

please wrobert. Driving on the beach is a privilege for property-owning locals who want to pay to do so. We live here year round and many of us enjoy the convenience of driving our kayaks and chairs down to the beach several times a week. permits need to be limited - and this is a totally fair and common sense way to do it. It is our county and our responsibility to protect our beaches and ourselves from the masses of unsafe/inexperienced beach drivers from all over the country. Tourists on the roads are bad enough sometimes. you really think they need to drive on our beaches? this is not a constitutional issue. its a local safety, good common sense issue.

now, whether or not we need to continue having even locals drive on the beach is another matter entirely. The number of cars/trucks on the beach in the last 5 years or so has gotten out of hand during peak months. I believe it is becoming unsafe, at least during June and July, and big holidays such as Memorial Day.

can you even imagine if every local and every visitor was allowed access to the beach via 4-wheel car or truck? we would have even more stuck vehicles, and before you know it, people will just abandon stuck cars out in the sand along with their BA tents. BAD idea. Let's not invite disaster to our beaches.

Robert - do you live anywhere near here? just wondering.

Yes. And I grew up on Pensacola Beach. I remember the dunes we had growing up and the work we all did destroying them as driving was allowed on the beach. Thankfully that sort of driving was finally stopped, but alas, it did not matter, the developers finally finished the job that my parents started. But boy did we have fun.

I have no problem with driving on the beach, I have a problem with the hypocrisy. They want to ban bonfires because they hurt the turtles, yet driving does not? We can get a permit to drive on the beach if we own property, not even close to the beach, just somewhere in Walton County? Those conditions are ludicrous and unconstitutional. But everyone talks about wanting to follow the law of the land, except we want an exception for driving on the beach. Hypocrisy abounds. If someone wants a permit I will sell you some Walton County dirt, cheap, so you can qualify before the changes take affect.

What is wrong with driving on the beach like they do in Daytona? Everyone pays a toll and drives away? I know, I know, we need to make sure that people that drive on the beach have a vehicle that can drive on the beach so they do not get stuck, why? If they want to try it, let them try it. We could make just as much money with a guvment wrecker that charges $500 to pull you out if you are stupid enough to try.

But the right thing to do would be to stop the driving in order to protect the environment and put some restrooms in at Grayton. Talk about something that is needed.

One thing to remember is that there isn't enough public parking at Grayton if you keep the vehicles off the beach. The homeowners in Grayton may be outraged at all the parking in the streets.

Yes. And I grew up on Pensacola Beach. I remember the dunes we had growing up and the work we all did destroying them as driving was allowed on the beach. Thankfully that sort of driving was finally stopped, but alas, it did not matter, the developers finally finished the job that my parents started. But boy did we have fun.

I have no problem with driving on the beach, I have a problem with the hypocrisy. They want to ban bonfires because they hurt the turtles, yet driving does not? We can get a permit to drive on the beach if we own property, not even close to the beach, just somewhere in Walton County? Those conditions are ludicrous and unconstitutional. But everyone talks about wanting to follow the law of the land, except we want an exception for driving on the beach. Hypocrisy abounds. If someone wants a permit I will sell you some Walton County dirt, cheap, so you can qualify before the changes take affect.

What is wrong with driving on the beach like they do in Daytona? Everyone pays a toll and drives away? I know, I know, we need to make sure that people that drive on the beach have a vehicle that can drive on the beach so they do not get stuck, why? If they want to try it, let them try it. We could make just as much money with a guvment wrecker that charges $500 to pull you out if you are stupid enough to try.

But the right thing to do would be to stop the driving in order to protect the environment and put some restrooms in at Grayton. Talk about something that is needed.

I can agree with your last statement. I don't want to give up driving to the beach but I will gladly do so when the time comes. meanwhile, there are restrictions on WHO can drive on the beach in addition to WHERE we can drive on the beach. these things may not be perfect restrictions - but they provide protection to the beach and it keeps the traffic down to a managable, safe level. we are not Daytona - we do not have a firm beach that serves as a two lane road. thankfully. I am thrilled we have the restrictions we have - we probably need additional restrictions as well. our beaches are wholly unique and deserve to be treated as such.

Does it have something to do with the western "No Driving" sign? I heard, so no actual confirmation, that some of the beach front home owners had paid the county to move the sign 300 feet to the east.

Just curious if this is true and if it's what is coming up at the BCC?

I hope they hurry up and decide my fate before I get that midsize sand worthy suv. I was SO looking forward to have a status sticker on my car.

Never mind...I will have two status stickers on my car...sowl.com and 30A Funn.

The Tax Collector's Office is only proposing language to clarify "proof" of real property ownership, and to clarify permit eligibility when property is owned by an LLC,

Same issues regarding "dog on the beach" permits.

The discussion always gets expanded to "allow", "don't allow", expand to non-property owners, etc. when these ordinances are up for a review.

Well kurt there goes your million dollar idea.

I think that letting any Walton County property owner w/ a 4x4 be able to buy a permit and drive on the beach at Grayton is a great and very democratic thing.

It's one of the things that makes our community great.

I'm curious as to how many property owners come down, drive their ridiculously expensive vehicles on the beach, go home and then wonder 6 - 8 months wonder why their paint is peeling and their undercarriage is rusting away.

GRAYTON BEACH NEIGHBOHOOD ASSOCIATION: Beach Permit Committee Update

A Driving on the Beach Committee was formed when it was announced the the County Commissioners were going to be looking at this issue at their September Meeting. This committee was formed by concerned citizens to come up with some suggestions to present to the Commissioners. It was NOT a GBNA committee. Billy Buzzett and Grant Blackwell presented the committee's suggestions at the meeting. After the presentation the Commissioners voted to table the issued until October 13th for further review:

Summary: Proposed Beach Vehicle Ordinance...

Why the last paragraph? That was not mentioned by Grant last night.

IMO if they are going to make an exception for Grayton property owners (can't decide how I feel about that), the 4x4 vehicle should have to be registered in the homeowners name too.

What are all the things that exclude you from being a registered voter in Walton County? While I am all for fewer felons on the beach with me, what about someone who lives here full time, owns property, but is not a US citizen and so is not a registered voter?

And how does this work for homes that are jointly owned or owned by an LLC etc. ?

I guess I have never thought it was too crowded - but that may be because I am rather selective about when I go.

I believe the new proposed ordinance (not the one proposed by grayton beach peeps) covers the definition of who constitutes members of a household, and therefore who is eligible to drive on the beach. I don't believe it includes a renter being able to drive a permit holder's vehicle onto the beach, but I really have a hard time believing that the Sheriff's office will be able to enforce that at random.

Hearing postponed

For anyone interested in the driving on the beach issue, there had been a county commission hearing on proposed changes to the "driving on the beach" ordinance set for Dec. 8, but by request of the county attorney's office the public hearing is being postponed to Jan. 12, 2010.

If anyone gets a copy of the draft please post or link.

The county attorney has been the one working on the new draft, and from what I understand he has been very busy and involved with the Supreme Court case regarding the Walton County beachfront property owners. I understand he went to D.C. for the hearing this week on that case. There was a "beach driving" ordinance draft posted on the county Web site along with the Dec. 8 BCC meeting agenda. However I believe it was the original draft from a few months ago when the BCC first started looking at changes to the driving on the beach regulations. A good many additional changes have been discussed since that time. There will likely be an updated draft in advance of the Jan. 12 public hearing on the beach driving ordinance.

Beach driving amendment

The amendment to the beach driving ordinance that the county commissioners will be considering on Jan. 12 is posted today on the Walton County Web site today, along with the meeting agenda and other items. For those interested in the beach driving issue, hopefully this link should take you to the proposed amendment: http://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1787.
The meeting starts at 4 p.m. at the South Walton Annex, and the public hearing on the amendment is listed for 4:25.