I wouldn't be surprised that the new draft by the attorney will include provisions which find a way to limit the permits to "Walton County Registered Voters", in some language that is legal. The way the current permits are issued, people who can't vote for or against the commissoners can get permits due to grandfather rules of second residences, but full time residents with primary residences who can vote them out of office, cannot get permits. I know a lot of WC residents who had planned on getting permits but hadn't yet, found out they had about 72 hours to get one before the new permit law took effect earlier this year, and were locked out due to travel or other limitations.
Beach vehicle permit ordinance changes
- Thread starter Yzarctoo
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If you own a business in Walton county and you don't own a home in Walton county.... NO!
If you own a business and a home in Walton County....YES
That Voter thing was tried last year...and removed from the draft! The folks at the open hearing didn't buy that! Anyone that lives in Walton County, and owned a Walton county property with a house on it, could have received a permit if they had a permit in 2009 and renewed it by August 1, 2010. 2009 permits went on sale on June 1 2009 and were up for sale until Jan 12th 2010. If you hadn't purchased a 2009 permit and were waiting until 72 hours before the deadline, I would think that you weren't really interested in a permit anyway or you would have paid your fees when they became available on June 1 2009 so you could have been using it. I really don't think our Commissioners are going to make beach driving permit decisions on who they think will vote for them or not.
No fax machine, email, or phone?
Walton commissioners approved the final version which allows property owners and registered voters to enter a lottery to win one of 150 annual permits, in addition to the existing permits which are grandfathered.
They had changed the law to only allow property owners to get permits but they have now changed it to allow permanent residents who are also registered voters.
Existing permit holders can begin renewal May 15 at the tax collector's office.
Applications for the lottery are being accepted April 1 through May 15. Winners can purchase permits beginning June 1.
They had changed the law to only allow property owners to get permits but they have now changed it to allow permanent residents who are also registered voters.
Existing permit holders can begin renewal May 15 at the tax collector's office.
Applications for the lottery are being accepted April 1 through May 15. Winners can purchase permits beginning June 1.
The requirement for property owners applying for a permit to have a habitable residence on their property was removed, as well. Also, people who had grandfathered permits last year and were turned down because they failed to apply for a renewal until after Aug. 1 may want to check with the county. Because of changes to the ordinance some of them may be eligible to be reinstated.
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If you win that "lotto" do you get to renew the next year/get grandfathered in?
No. at least the way they have it set up now and under the ordinance just approved, no one who is not grandfathered now can ever get that status. The number of grandfathered permits will continue to go down each year due to attrition, people failing to renew, and permit conditions not being met in other ways.
I think that should be changed - IMO if you win the lotto, you should get the option to renew the next year - just like all the other permit holders.
The number of lottery permits offered could vary each year to keep the number of permits at a certain level.
The number of lottery permits offered could vary each year to keep the number of permits at a certain level.
S
seafolly
SoWal Guest
I'm new to the area--but why would you want to drive on the beautiful beaches? Is this some right of passage for long term residents?