Walton County Florida Beach Driving, Charter Fishing, Dogs on the Beach Permits

[Sally]

Walton County offers a variety of Beach Driving Permits, Charter Fishing Permits and Dogs on the Beach Permits for Walton County landowners and/or residents.

The procedures for applying for and receiving a permit are outlined and dictated by the Walton County Beach Activities Ordinance 2025-22 and the Boating on Waterways within Walton County Ordinance 2025-77.

For those wishing to receive a permit, each permitting processes has its own set of qualifications that must be met, and procedures that must be followed. For detailed information, please view the Walton County Beach Activities Ordinance 2025-22

Additionally, each permitting process comes with it own set of application opening dates and deadlines for applying.

Beach Driving, Charter Fishing, Dogs on the Beach Permits | Walton County, FL - Home Page

Code enforcement website page with important links and information

www.mywaltonfl.gov

Dog permits are available to Walton County real property owners or permanent residents only.

Applications for the Beach Driving Lottery are accepted April 1st through May 10th of each year.

Grandfathered Beach Driving Permits - Failure to renew permit annually will result in loss of grandfathered status.

Disability Beach Driving Permit Applications - All disability driving permits are valid beginning June 1st and expire May 31st each year.

Charter Fishing Permit applications will be accepted April 1st through June 15th. If the current permit holders do not renew their permit by June 15th, an additional number of permits (that would bring the total to 15) may be issued via a lottery. If necessary, the lottery will be held on June 20th.

Scuba Charter Permit applications will be accepted April 1st through June 15th. If the current permit holders do not renew their permit by April 30th, an additional number of permits (that would bring the total to 3 ) may be issued via a lottery. If necessary, the lottery will be held on June 20th.

 

[drinkin & lazy]

Question to the readers here -

As the new Grayton facility nears completion with a new boardwalk along the west driving entrance, does this newly created ADA beach access now fulfill the disability beach driving permit need? In theory, anyone with a physical disability to access that particular beach, could now access via the newly built boardwalk along with the boardwalk near Western Lake. A sand mat and/or wheelchair with wheels fit for the sandy beach provided by the TDC to support the needs of someone with a disability would also reduce the number of vehicles on the beach throughout the peak summer months.

 

[Jane]

Question to the readers here -

As the new Grayton facility nears completion with a new boardwalk along the west driving entrance, does this newly created ADA beach access now fulfill the disability beach driving permit need? In theory, anyone with a physical disability to access that particular beach, could now access via the newly built boardwalk along with the boardwalk near Western Lake. A sand mat and/or wheelchair with wheels fit for the sandy beach provided by the TDC to support the needs of someone with a disability would also reduce the number of vehicles on the beach throughout the peak summer months.

Good theory.

 

[drinkin & lazy]

Good theory.

Did you catch the BCC meeting yesterday? The County Administrator brought up the topic (not mentioning the new boardwalks) on how the disabled permits have grown and asked the commission for permission to research more on the topic.

 

[Kurt]

Did you catch the BCC meeting yesterday? The County Administrator brought up the topic (not mentioning the new boardwalks) on how the disabled permits have grown and asked the commission for permission to research more on the topic.

I do remember seeing recently that there was an issue with a lot of people apparently taking advantage of the handicap permit "loophole".

 

[drinkin & lazy]

I do remember seeing recently that there was an issue with a lot of people apparently taking advantage of the handicap permit "loophole".

It's insane to see the number of vehicles with that permit carrying paddleboards, kayaks, and fishing gear. The "loophole" is pretty obvious, it's unfortunate that the one's truly needing the permit accessibility are being overtaken by the one's abusing it.