Walton County officials are reminding beach goers and Independence Day revelers of the County codes that will be strictly enforced this July 4.
Walton County Beach Code Compliance (Code) is asking for public assistance in having a successful morning nesting survey by the South Walton Turtle Watch Group (SWTW) on July 4, 2024. The County will have officers at the access very early on the morning of July 4, 2024.
Walton County’s Beach Activities Ordinance prohibits driving on the beach between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. or until the completion of the morning nesting survey.
Beach Ordinance 2024-21- 22-57) (q)
During turtle nesting season driving is prohibited from 10:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. or after the morning nesting survey has been completed (if completed earlier than 8:00 a.m.), with the exception of vehicles launching or recovering boats. When driving between dusk and 10:00 p.m., headlights must be dim and used only when in motion. Headlights must have red filters over the headlights. Light wavelength with red filters should be > 560 nm. All vehicles launching boats must be parked in designated parking areas, so as to not obstruct other beach users.
Vehicles found on the beach during the prohibited times listed in the ordinance are subject to a written citation for violation of Section:2024-21-22-57 (q). Please note that the morning nesting survey is typically completed earlier than 8am and Code will allow access as soon as SWTW completes the survey.
The public should also be aware of Section 14-11 of Walton County’s Land Development Code which prohibits toy firearms, fireworks, and explosives in any park area or any other owned or leased property, such as county owned beach access.
Below is the full text of Section 14-11.
Sec. 14-11. – Toy firearms, fireworks, and explosives.
(a) No person shall bring into, or possess, or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn, in any park area or any other county owned or leased property, any firecrackers, torpedoes, rockets, toy firearms, cannons, or other fireworks or explosives of or containing flammable material or any substance, compound, mixture, or article which in conjunction with any other substance or compound, may explode, discharge or burn, unless he first obtains a written permit from the manager.
(b) Parents and/or guardians shall be held responsible and accountable for the actions of minors in regard to the prohibitions in the foregoing paragraph as provided by law.
For more information, contact Beach Code Compliance Office Beach Code Manager Danny Garner at (850) 622-0000.