Beach vehicle permit ordinance changes

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.

Do you have any thoughts on the proposed amendment? I'm not sure I like the whole "grandfathering" idea

Do you have any thoughts on the proposed amendment? I'm not sure I like the whole "grandfathering" idea

It's nice of you to ask, and I assume you're asking me, but I think I'm better off staying neutral on that issue, especially since I'm a reporter. However, I'll be very interested to see what opinions others in the community will have.

Do I read this correctly?

It sounds like there will be no new permits issued, only renewals. If so, I don't care for it. I am a full-time resident who previously had a permit, now expired. Would like the opportunity in the future to get another.

That's the way I read it. If you haven't got one now, you won't be able to get one in the future. Moreover, if you have one now and you let it expire it will go away and you won't be able to get it back.
Doesn't seem very fair to me.

I agree - why should an out of state visitor be allowed to have a permit when a full time resident can't?

Especially since part of the reason it is being reviewed is because of the large number of vehicles on the beach during the TOURIST season and the large number of permit holders from one residence!

IMO limiting it to FL residents & landowners for new permits and grandfathering in existing ones (and limiting it to a max of 2 permits per household for both) is much fairer.

I agree - why should an out of state visitor be allowed to have a permit when a full time resident can't?

Especially since part of the reason it is being reviewed is because of the large number of vehicles on the beach during the TOURIST season and the large number of permit holders from one residence!

IMO limiting it to FL residents & landowners for new permits and grandfathering in existing ones (and limiting it to a max of 2 permits per household for both) is much fairer.

Out of state visitors are not allowed permits. Walton county property owners who live out of the county are if there is a dwelling on their property and if they currently hold a permit.

That's what I meant.

Rephrase:

Why should an out of state second home owner (or their renters) be able to get a permit when a full time Walton County resident cannot?

That's what I meant.

Rephrase:

Why should an out of state second home owner (or their renters) be able to get a permit when a full time Walton County resident cannot?

It is a point of contention. In this "grandfather" scenario they are attempting to allow the non-residents who currently have permits to renew them, rather than cut them off entirely. No doubt some non-resident families who have a long-time home here, especially in Grayton, are being given consideration.

It will be interesting to see how Grayton residents and non-resident owners react. I believe most feel that they should be granted a permit no matter what. But many also would like to see the number of permits dwindle. And then there are those who wouldn't mind having no vehicles on the beach at all.

IMO limiting it to FL residents & landowners for new permits and grandfathering in existing ones (and limiting it to a max of 2 permits per household for both) is much fairer.

This sounds like a fair alternative to me.

If they still feel the need for a cap on the total number of permits, it would seem fair to let new permits come from the count of expired and non-renewed ones. FIFO waiting list for those. Priority for full-time resident/owners in some way, but not to exclude vacation home owners.

so if i don't have one now am i allowed to get one tommorrow before the meeting?i own property but have never got one

I would like an uber-fine for the people who take total advantage of the system- like the car I keep seeing around town with the sticker affixed to a magnet- and the magnet slapped on the front side door. Nice job- did it come with your rental?

so if i don't have one now am i allowed to get one tommorrow before the meeting?i own property but have never got one

I wondered the same thing. I don't see why not.

I would like an uber-fine for the people who take total advantage of the system- like the car I keep seeing around town with the sticker affixed to a magnet- and the magnet slapped on the front side door. Nice job- did it come with your rental?

As you are aware, it has to be permanently affixed. Not sure what would happen if a deputy saw it on the beach. Also, the actual permit is a printout that must be kept in the vehicle. It must match the vehicle ID and the owner or other designated driver.

does any household need more than 1?

I like my solution the best - shocking huh?

Plus I already told Papa Scooterbug I get his old truck when he gets a new one so I can drive on the beach.......................but I am still years from a beach permit.

I've owned property in Grayton for 8 years. I would like to get a permit asap if I am not allowed in the future. I do not yet have a dwelling on this property. Am I allowed a permit?

Here is the section from the current county code of ordinance for vehicles on the beach as it appears on MuniCode. No mention of a requirement for a habitable structure on the real property in order for a beach driving permit to be issued. If the commissioners approve the amendment that is proposed this would change. This will be considered at their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
"Sec. 22-57. Permitted vehicles on the beach.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive, or cause to be driven, an unauthorized vehicle on the beach of Walton County unless permitted as provided herein.
(b) Before any vehicle shall be allowed in the designated limited access areas on the public beaches of Walton County, a permit must be obtained for the vehicle in the form of a decal, and permanently affixed in the back window of said vehicle, or the rear of the motor vehicle.
(c) Walton County real property owners and immediate family members residing with the property owner may obtain a permit for the use of vehicles along the designated limited access areas on the beach of Walton County. Proof of real property ownership is required.
(d) The Walton County Tax Collector will issue the permits upon receipt of a completed application. The Walton County Tax Collector shall retain $5.00 as a processing fee.
(e) Only four-wheel drive vehicles shall be permitted.
(f) The designated limited access area permit described in subsection (c) above, shall cost the sum of $105.00 per vehicle. One decal (vehicle permit) shall be issued for each vehicle authorized to use the limited access area. Permanently disabled landowners, upon proof of disability, will be exempt from this fee.
(g) In addition to the designated limited access area permit described in subsection (c) above, individuals launching boats shall be required to have a corresponding trailer decal for an additional $30.00. The decal shall be placed on the tongue of the trailer.
(h) The speed limit of authorized vehicles along the designated limited access on the public beaches of Walton County shall be five miles per hour.
(i) Any reckless driving along the designated limited access of the public beaches shall constitute a violation of this article.
(j) Conviction for violation of this article shall result in automatic revocation of the vehicle permit.
(k) All permits issued shall be for a period of one year and will expire June 1 of each year.
(l) Permitted vehicles are not allowed on the beach other than in the designated limited access areas.
(m) All access areas shall be appropriately marked and designated as such.
(n) Driving is prohibited from 10:00 p.m. until sunrise, with the exception of vehicles launching or recovering boats. All vehicles launching boats must be parked in designated parking areas.
(o) All-terrain vehicles are not permitted on the public beach. All-terrain vehicles used by sheriff department officers and county employees for official business may be driven on the beach. Beach vendor permits may include all-terrain vehicles that are restricted to setting up and breaking down vending sites only.
(Ord. No. 2003-07, ? 7, 4-8-03; Ord. No. 2005-11, ? 2, 4-26-05)"
The Walton County Tax Collector's office issues the beach driving permits. They would be able to give an authoritative answer to questions about these permits. They can be contacted at (850) 892-8121 or (850) 267-3001, and their Web site is Walton County Tax Collector.

I printed a copy of the application and it asks if you are a full time Walton Co. resident. Is this new verbiage? I have to wait for the plates for my new 4 wheel vehicle, but wanted to go ahead and get it while the gettings good.

Ha! Just saw the phone numbers above...I'll call them on Monday! Thanks.

I printed a copy of the application and it asks if you are a full time Walton Co. resident. Is this new verbiage? I have to wait for the plates for my new 4 wheel vehicle, but wanted to go ahead and get it while the gettings good.

Ha! Just saw the phone numbers above...I'll call them on Monday! Thanks.

I think we'll drive down on Monday. There's a piece of property in Grayton that we have our eye on. But no way I am gonna walk from the beach to Hotz Avenue if I need to "go." We need a beach permit.

I think we'll drive down on Monday. There's a piece of property in Grayton that we have our eye on. But no way I am gonna walk from the beach to Hotz Avenue if I need to "go." We need a beach permit.

There are many public beach accesses that have restrooms, and not far to walk.

There are many public beach accesses that have restrooms, and not far to walk.

Yes, but Grayton Beach, where we have been holding our soirees, is not one of them. I know from personal experience. Its way too far to the Red Bar.

I printed a copy of the application and it asks if you are a full time Walton Co. resident. Is this new verbiage? I have to wait for the plates for my new 4 wheel vehicle, but wanted to go ahead and get it while the gettings good.

Ha! Just saw the phone numbers above...I'll call them on Monday! Thanks.

I wonder if it's always said 'full time?' I can't remember, but then there's this, too, stating nothing of residency.

Raw land is real property.



Requirements:

• Applicant must own real property in Walton County.
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Applicant must own the vehicle to be permitted. [/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The vehicle must be a 4 wheel drive vehicle.​
  [/FONT]

Possibly the purpose the question on the application that Miss Kitty pointed out is for record keeping, to know the number of county residents with beach driving permits versus the number of permit holders who are nonresidents, which would include second home owners. Some figures on this have been presented recently.

Yes, but Grayton Beach, where we have been holding our soirees, is not one of them. I know from personal experience. Its way too far to the Red Bar.

If I ever attend another one, my vote is to move it to Inlet Beach.

Amendment approved

The proposed amendment to the beach driving ordinance (see post 26) was approved last night with minor changes. So, aside from the maximum 20 beach driving permits for charter boat operators, once the amendment takes effect no new beach driving permits are going to be issued. Existing permit holders will be able to get their permits renewed as long as they meet the conditions set in the amendment and ordinance. Also there will be a maximum of one permit for each piece of property owned in the county, and there will be a requirement that there is a habitable structure on the property. The county attorney said the amendment would take effect within about 10 days of the Jan. 12 approval. The commissioners said they would consider revising the regulations in the fall, so that more people would be able to get beach driving permits, once they see how much this amendment reduces the number of permits.