The people of Florida own the beach front property up to the mean high water mark along all of our coasts.
Beachfront homeowners or the government may own the dry sand beach area down to the mean high water mark.
“Customary Use” refers to the right of the public at large to possess and use certain dry sand areas for recreational purposes because of long standing use by the public over many years. This right has been recognized by common law for centuries.
The Walton County Commission passed an ordinance protecting the long standing “Customary Use” of the public on all of the beaches of Walton County regardless of public or private ownership.
House Bill 631, passed by the Florida Legislature on March 8, 2018, prohibits counties like Walton County from adopting or enforcing an ordinance or rule establishing “Customary Use” of privately owned dry sand areas of the beach.
Gov. Scott approved House Bill 631 on March 23, 2018, and it became law on July 1, 2018. The bill Gov. Scott signed repealed Walton County’s “Customary Use” Ordinance which guaranteed the public’s right to use the beaches.
Since July 7, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office has begun ordering people on privately owned dry sand areas of the beach to leave the beach or be arrested for trespass.
We, the undersigned call on our state delegation to introduce legislation repealing House Bill 631, so that Walton County can protect public use of the beach and protect our economy.
[Paid by Trey Nick, Republican for Walton County Commissioner, District 4]
Updates
July 14, 2018
We just hit 1,000 signatures and the greed of these beachfront property owners needs to stop right now. The Florida Legislature clearly doesn't care about our public land rights so we have to force their hand.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 13, 2018
July 13, 2018
One hundred people have signed on to fight this blatant land grab by wealthy beachfront owners. HB 631 is a pathetic attempt to steal our coast and we are just getting started.
July 13, 2018
The state legislature is stealing our coastline and they think we will just sit back and watch. We need to hit 1,000 signatures right now to prove that Walton County won't be bullied by private interests. Post this link to your social media feed immediately so we can shove these numbers in their faces.
Reached 100 supporters
July 11, 2018
391 Comments
I have lived in South Walton for 32 years and own 3 pieces of property here. Being in the restaurant business all these years and depending on our tourists for my livelihood, I see this law hurting us worse than any natural disaster could.
I grew up in Walton County. Walking /sitting on the beaches has alway been a way of life. This is heartbreaking for this to be taken away. When a hurricane comes are the homeowners going to want the taxpayers to repair their private land?
As a local, this law has made it impossible to find a spot on our already over-crowded public beaches. I’m guessing when a huge hurricane comes through and screws up private property it will come out of my tax dollars to repair something that I cannot even sit on!
The beach should be for everyone to enjoy. I am a single mom who doesn't have a lot of money and The beach is something free that i can do with my kids that we all love... everyone should be able to spend time at the beach without have to worry about being arrested.
As a landowner in Walton County, I am following this case very closely to decide if I will ever build my retirement home there or sell out and find another, more welcoming beach community in which to spend my days (and resources).
Beaches should belong to everyone and not be Private at all anywhere!!
Don't stop fighting the theft of our beaches!
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The people of Florida own the beach front property up to the mean high water mark along all of our coasts.
Beachfront homeowners or the government may own the dry sand beach area down to the mean high water mark.
“Customary Use” refers to the right of the public at large to possess and use certain dry sand areas for recreational purposes because of long standing use by the public over many years. This right has been recognized by common law for centuries.
The Walton County Commission passed an ordinance protecting the long standing “Customary Use” of the public on all of the beaches of Walton County regardless of public or private ownership.
House Bill 631, passed by the Florida Legislature on March 8, 2018, prohibits counties like Walton County from adopting or enforcing an ordinance or rule establishing “Customary Use” of privately owned dry sand areas of the beach.
Gov. Scott approved House Bill 631 on March 23, 2018, and it became law on July 1, 2018. The bill Gov. Scott signed repealed Walton County’s “Customary Use” Ordinance which guaranteed the public’s right to use the beaches.
Since July 7, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office has begun ordering people on privately owned dry sand areas of the beach to leave the beach or be arrested for trespass.
We, the undersigned call on our state delegation to introduce legislation repealing House Bill 631, so that Walton County can protect public use of the beach and protect our economy.
[Paid by Trey Nick, Republican for Walton County Commissioner, District 4]
Updates
July 14, 2018
We just hit 1,000 signatures and the greed of these beachfront property owners needs to stop right now. The Florida Legislature clearly doesn't care about our public land rights so we have to force their hand.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 13, 2018
July 13, 2018
One hundred people have signed on to fight this blatant land grab by wealthy beachfront owners. HB 631 is a pathetic attempt to steal our coast and we are just getting started.
July 13, 2018
The state legislature is stealing our coastline and they think we will just sit back and watch. We need to hit 1,000 signatures right now to prove that Walton County won't be bullied by private interests. Post this link to your social media feed immediately so we can shove these numbers in their faces.
Reached 100 supporters
July 11, 2018
391 Comments
The beach is a natural thing that we should all be able to respect and enjoy. I would like to be able to bring my children there without someone yelling at me to leave their side of the beach. The decision in bringing this law to pass is unacceptable
I have lived in South Walton for 32 years and own 3 pieces of property here. Being in the restaurant business all these years and depending on our tourists for my livelihood, I see this law hurting us worse than any natural disaster could.
I grew up in Walton County. Walking /sitting on the beaches has alway been a way of life. This is heartbreaking for this to be taken away. When a hurricane comes are the homeowners going to want the taxpayers to repair their private land?
As a local, this law has made it impossible to find a spot on our already over-crowded public beaches. I’m guessing when a huge hurricane comes through and screws up private property it will come out of my tax dollars to repair something that I cannot even sit on!
The beach should be for everyone to enjoy. I am a single mom who doesn't have a lot of money and The beach is something free that i can do with my kids that we all love... everyone should be able to spend time at the beach without have to worry about being arrested.
As a landowner in Walton County, I am following this case very closely to decide if I will ever build my retirement home there or sell out and find another, more welcoming beach community in which to spend my days (and resources).
Beaches should belong to everyone and not be Private at all anywhere!!
Don't stop fighting the theft of our beaches!
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The beach is a natural thing that we should all be able to respect and enjoy. I would like to be able to bring my children there without someone yelling at me to leave their side of the beach. The decision in bringing this law to pass is unacceptable