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Beach Activities Ordinance Changes 5/22/15

Kurt avatar
Admin
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This Week: Beach Activities Ordinance Changes Take Effect

This week on May 22, 2015 several changes go into effect for the beach activities ordinance. The following changes in the beach activities ordinance, adopted by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners, will take effect:


  • 2013-04-22-60(b)(1): Verbiage changed to distinguish the rights of “specific place” permitted vendors at a “specific beach” or “specific location” from those of a delivery vendor.
  • 2013-04-22-60(d)(1): The word “concession” replaced with “vending operation.”
  • 2013-04-22-60(d)(3): Verbiage inserted that prohibits vending set-ups in front of a lifeguard tower. The ordinance will now read that vendor chairs and umbrellas “must allow for a 10’ clear corridor from lifeguard towers to the water.”
  • 2013-04-22-60(d)(4): Verbiage changed to allow vendors beach access between “7:30 a.m., or after the morning sea turtle nesting survey has been completed, or whichever is earlier, and one hour after sunset. “
  • 2013-04-22-60(d)(6): Verbiage inserted to define that only “specific place permitted vendors” have the right to store a temporary beach storage box at the toe of the dune, provided it adheres to all of the guidelines listed in ordinance 2013-04-22-60(d)(6).
  • 2013-04-22-60(d)(9): Verbiage changed to allow properly permitted vendor vehicles access to the beach starting at “7:30 a.m. or after the morning sea turtle nesting survey has been completed.”
  • 2013-04-22-60(d)(10): New Ordinance Created: “Beach vendor’s operations are limited to no more than 50% of the beach frontage at any public beach access. The frontage shall be designated by the Walton County Tourist Development Council prior to March 1st of each year.”
  • 2013-04-22-60(e)(4): The words “lifesaving training” replaced with “a CPR certification or water safety certification recognized by the American Red Cross.”
  • 2013-04-22-60(h)(2)(a): Sentence added which reads: “Walton County Board of County Commissioners shall be listed as certificate holder and additionally insured on the insurance policy.”


The revised ordinance in its entirety can be found on Walton County Florida’s website: http://www.co.walton.fl.us/documentcenter/view/7847

For more information or questions about the changes in the beach activities ordinance contact Brian Kellenberger at Brian@visitsouthwalton.com, (850) 267-4578 or (850) 333-6236.

Replies

33
bentley williams avatar
Beach Fanatic
#2
I'd like to see no more than 25% of the beach for chair setups and allow them no closer than 30 feet to waterline.
steel1man avatar
Beach Fanatic
#3
Copied from Jdarg. We should follow like PCB did with FT. Lauderdale on stopping spring thugs and violence

When we were in Bradenton at the middle school state track meet 2 weeks ago, we went over to Anna Maria Island for a little reconnaissance mission, looking at traffic, beaches, and infrastructure as compared to ours. The most striking thing we noticed- there was almost no beach vending. Beach goers had their own chairs and umbrellas. No beach chair venders at the public neighborhood beach accesses. Very limited at the several municipal owned accesses, and it was limited to one vendor, who did not set up chairs until about 10 am, and then only about half dozen about midway back- not hogging the front row. It reminded me of how it used to be here when people actually carried their own chairs to the beach. It is one thing to be at staying a condo or resort- one of the reasons people stay in such places you are for these amenities. But when staying in our sleepy beach neighborhoods, why would people expect resort amenities like beach chair set ups at the public accesses?
steel1man avatar
Beach Fanatic
#4
Just heard all beach vendors had a mandatory meeting yesterday to discuss new rules and enforcement. Anyone attend?
Beach Lover
#5
Not good enough. It's for public not private use. I'm all for entrepreneurs (l've been watching Shark Tank lately) but, infringing on 50% of public use is unacceptable. Hell, if my car breaks down on the side of the road and I can't get it moved in time I'll get a citation, right? You see where I'm coming from?
Mike Smith avatar
Beach Lover
#6
Adding to other comments... 7:30 am is too early. As far as I'm concerned these set-ups are just polluting the morning sunrise and ocean views. They are usually sit empty until mid morning at the earliest. Move the start time back to something like 9am and ONLY allow set-ups to start once the person who purchased those set-ups are in occupancy. I don't believe 3/4 of what is set up is ever sold in advance or really occupied if they were sold. Anyone have any stats on this?
John G avatar
Beach Fanatic
#7
Great Points.

Let's also not forget that this business is 90% CASH.

So probably not too many "records" of anything...
Mike Smith avatar
Beach Lover
#8
Just an observation this morning... Looks like 9-10 beach set-ups were in place at the Walton Dunes beach access before 7:30. So much for the beach vendors respecting the new ordinances...
steel1man avatar
Beach Fanatic
#9
Just an observation this morning... Looks like 9-10 beach set-ups were in place at the Walton Dunes beach access before 7:30. So much for the beach vendors respecting the new ordinances...
call JEFF 850-428-0089 beach enforcement. FYI BMB guy was set and gone at 6:45AM today
miznotebook avatar
Beach Fanatic
#10
2013-04-22-60(d)(4): Verbiage changed to allow vendors beach access between “7:30 a.m., or after the morning sea turtle nesting survey has been completed, or whichever is earlier, and one hour after sunset. “
John G avatar
Beach Fanatic
#11
Heres a solution:TDC spends some of its millions $$$ and installs beach camera at the public beach accesses.Tourists can log on and check beach conditions via an app on the phone, etc.Cameras are then also used to monitor the vendors and capture them when in violation.Video from this is used to support the subsequent fines that are levied.Thank you.
Zebraspots avatar
Beach Fanatic
#12
There are already multiple beach cams in place and multiple enforcement and TDC personnel constantly on the beaches. Let's just do zero tolerance for offenders instead of going full on NSA/Orwell.
Mike Smith avatar
Beach Lover
#13
This morning I look at the Walton Dunes beach access at 7:20 and saw 20+ setups (two chairs and an umbrella) already in place and in a straight line along most of the beach. I assume the morning nesting survey happens before 7am? Just don't understand the "after morning nesting" clause in this ordinance.... It makes enforcement impossible.
Andy A avatar
Beach Fanatic
#14
Lets change the ordinance and not allow vendors to set up unless the chairs and umbrellas are rented by specific individuals. They can't set up on our beach unless their products are requested by owners or renters.
steel1man avatar
Beach Fanatic
#15
Lets change the ordinance and not allow vendors to set up unless the chairs and umbrellas are rented by specific individuals. They can't set up on our beach unless their products are requested by owners or renters.
Andy you are correct. However,recently we witnessed a family arrive on the beach and call one vendor ( the one always on the front row before 6:45am daily) and ask about setups, his reply was that setup for ABC family just called and where not using this setup today, so Guess What? The just arriving family at 11:30AM could have the ABC setup....he beats the system daily.
Jdarg avatar
SoWal Expert
#17
What? People were able to carry their own stuff to the beach? Or stay at a resort that had chair service?
Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
#18
This morning I look at the Walton Dunes beach access at 7:20 and saw 20+ setups (two chairs and an umbrella) already in place and in a straight line along most of the beach. I assume the morning nesting survey happens before 7am? Just don't understand the "after morning nesting" clause in this ordinance.... It makes enforcement impossible.

Why does the new vendor ordinance allow any of this? Was hoping that restrictions would be in place.
Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
#19
https://www.facebook.com/217621818331797/photos/a.293969317363713.66788.217621818331797/873933592700613/?type=1

This was posted to facebook by the NWFL Daily News yesterday....way back in the day before the beaches were spoiled by growth/development and the ugly abundance of unoccupied beach chairs.

Those were the days my friend....we thought they'd never end...

Anyone know anything about Destins vendor rules?
Misty avatar
Banned
#20
Here is a novel idea to keep private enterprise from beating the system on public beaches...

What about using TDC funding?

Edited

Danny Glidewell avatar
Beach Fanatic
#21
It is beautiful and would stop the vendor problems.
Misty avatar
Banned
#22
It is beautiful and would stop the vendor problems.

Its gorgeous! Not nearly as offensive/ostentatious as all the other crap.
Kurt avatar
AdminAuthor
#23
Here is a novel idea to keep private enterprise from beating the system on public beaches...

What about using TDC funding?



Worst idea ever! Said momma sea turtle and 99% of beach-loving humans.

How about use TDC funding to make beaches public AND keep crap off the beaches?
Misty avatar
Banned
#24
How about use TDC funding to make beaches public AND keep crap off the beaches?

That is the best "I have a dream" speech ever! Love it! You will draw the wrath of Jones though and her husband can be pretty "threatening".

Agree on the sea turtles and humans too.

Edited

steel1man avatar
Beach Fanatic
#25
That is the best "I have a dream" speech ever! Love it! You will draw the wrath of Jones though and her husband can be pretty "threatening". Agree on the sea turtles and humans too.
This Board feeds off Threats!
Misty avatar
Banned
#26
This Board feeds off Threats!
I think anytime someones livelihood is threatened it evokes pretty strong emotions. That's another 2 way street.

I agree with Kurt though and most of you, get rid of those damn chairs.

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