FLORIDA BEACH ACCESS LAW

Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed a that could restrict public access to private beaches. At issue is the question of whether the public can walk or sunbathe on privately owned sand. The sand below the high tide line is always open to walking, fishing and other beach activities in Florida, but anything landward could be considered private property. In Walton County a customary use ordinance allowing visitors to walk, sunbathe and picnic on private beaches was enacted a year ago, but the ordinance ends July 1st when the state law goes into effect. Pensacola and Navarre beaches aren’t impacted by the bill because public access to those beaches were deeded to Escambia County by the federal government after World War II.