Beach Signs

Disgusting!

Exactly how does a public walkway lead to a private beach?

The county needs to nip this crap in the bud!

Misleading and I think basically a scare tactic, probably a flat out lie. Whats wrong with these people? Bad neighbors here in Blue Mountain. Maybe they can claim the air is their's too?

It is both, a scare tactic and a lie. The Retreat security guards were not active over the Memorial Day weekend as far as I know, and I haven't seen any dedicated Blue Mountain Inn guards for some time. But I suspect a showdown may becoming, especially if they had a survey crew out there. This is an old, tired issue rearing its ugly head again. We non-Retreat and Inn people have been told by WCSO that they don't want the guards harassing beachgoers, period. I think the only folks who think this is a good idea live at the Retreat. And rarely use the beach, by the way. To be continued....

To bad the survey is useless tomorrow.

It might also be for the pending beach re-nourishment.

I've complained about this issue for several years. Code Enforcement, Sheriff's office and the BCC do nothing! It is beyond my comprehension how the county can enforce a signage control on our scenic highways but cannot enforce the same ordinance on our beaches. BTW, this happens every year about this time. The signs are an abomination!

If "they" can put it up why can't "someone" take it down?

It's a "Private Beach" untill a storm takes it away.............then...........It's the "Publics Duty" to restore it to a "Private Beach" again.

+1

Is it legal to put up a private sign on a public walkway?

Exactly how does a public walkway lead to a private beach? The county needs to nip this crap in the bud!

Nuff Said!!

I've emailed my county commissioner. I encourage everyone to do the same.

I've emailed my county commissioner. I encourage everyone to do the same.

what is the email address?

Cindy Meadows

meacindy@co.walton.fl.us

It appears that the above sign is legit. It's not a public access.

Personally, I wish there weren't any signs. But the county should require sign permits for beach signs which specify sign verbiage, size, and surveyed placement. The signs should be located in such a way as to let the public know where the private property ends. Please see my other post here http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread....h-Response-from-Commissioner-Meadows?p=806502

We were at the beach between One Seagrove and Park Place last week. Between the dozens of blue umbrellas and loungers set up in front of One Seagrove and the dozen green umbrellas and loungers spaciously set up by Park Place, there was barely enough room for anyone else in between at the public beach access. Of course, Park Place had a huge "private beach" banner in front of their property. Interestingly enough, of the dozen green Park Place umbrellas, there was only one snooty elderly gentleman lounging. It looked ridiculous. He appeared to be bored and very isolated. He got up a few times to stretch and once walked into the water about waist high with a drink in his hand presumably to pee (Hmm....Wonder how long it'll be before the "peeing for Park Place residents only" sign appears in the surf lol)

Personally, I wish there weren't any signs. But the county should require sign permits for beach signs which specify sign verbiage, size, and surveyed placement. The signs should be located in such a way as to let the public know where the private property ends. Please see my other post here http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread....h-Response-from-Commissioner-Meadows?p=806502

Hell no! This only ads to the false validity that they own the beach. Most of them quitclaim deeded the beach to themselves illegally.

I think it would be great if there were an ordinance banning all of these private property signs on the beach but, barring that, the next best thing would be to have some rules like the ones I've suggested. Otherwise, you have what you've got now which only the beachfront owners (and not all of them) are happy about.

Hell no! This only ads to the false validity that they own the beach. Most of them quitclaim deeded the beach to themselves illegally.

I agree completely! If we can't keep signs off the beach, at least keep them at the toe of the dune or as far landward as possible. According to our deed, we own to the water. Where did that right come from? I think it is as fallacious as it is possible to be. The meeting last night on beach renourishment was full of people "protecting" their "private beach" rights. A right that has to be proven in the first place as being legal even though their deed says it is so. What can you do with a beach? Can you plant a crop? Can you build a structure? No, you can utilize it for pleasure and relaxation. Why should you deny citizens the right to do that if they do it responsibly? The beach is a part of this great nation and, as National Parks and other wonderful areas of that nation, should be available for the use of all when used responsibly. If not used so, the law has the right to remove them.

I think it would be great if there were an ordinance banning all of these private property signs on the beach but, barring that, the next best thing would be to have some rules like the ones I've suggested. Otherwise, you have what you've got now which only the beachfront owners (and not all of them) are happy about.

I'm certainly not an expert but I thought you had to have permission from the state DEP to place signs anywhere on the beach. I've been told that that is one of the angles the Sheriff Dept. uses when choosing not to arrest alleged "trespassers". To enforce so called private property you have to mark your boundaries but to mark the boundaries you need permission from the DEP to place your signs. That's pretty hard to get with the sea turtles out there.

I'm certainly not an expert but I thought you had to have permission from the state DEP to place signs anywhere on the beach. I've been told that that is one of the angles the Sheriff Dept. uses when choosing not to arrest alleged "trespassers". To enforce so called private property you have to mark your boundaries but to mark the boundaries you need permission from the DEP to place your signs. That's pretty hard to get with the sea turtles out there.

You also need to establish where the boundaries are. It isn't the water, it's the Mean High Water Line, which requires a survey to establish because it has a legal definition in the Florida Statutes.
Don't look for any help from the DEP as long as Rick Scott is in office. They are hunkered down for the duration.

Further Response from TDC director........

​“Owners are allowed to put a mono-pole sign on the beach marking their property. They are not allowed to string rope or chains between multiple posts.”



“The signs cannot be on the third of the beach closest to the water.”


“All our public beach accesses have public beach at the end of them. It may only be 10’ of width of public beach but it is still public.”


Picture at Seaside is typical of the many signs being placed at “private” beaches. FDEP rule we are using as guidelines is – monopole sign, 1/3 of beach from toe of dune.

And this makes the signs necessary, useful and attractive? Go figure. To me, it shows the lack of consideration for American citizens and the pure greed of some beach front owners. BTW, my deed says we own to the water, but there are no signs on our beach nor will there be.

I think signs on the beach are stupid and ugly and completely out of character for this area. Plenty of places people who feel the need to "own the beach" can go. (Besides hell.)