A great Article appeared in the Florida Realtors blog inspired my thinking about Beach Vacationers. Who Owns the Beach? By Christopher Carter discusses the development of Boundaries along the 650 Miles of Florida Beaches. If you are considering purchasing property that INCLUDES Beach, please review the Article in its entirety and send me your questions about any property of interest.
Christophers’ Tips for Walking the Beaches will make your stroll stress free. And are quoted here as written in the article. You may want to know the term Mean High Water Line (MHWL). This is the line where the Private Property ends. This Line Can be recognized as the highest point that beach sand will become water-packed by high tide.
My rule is typically the WET SAND is always safe to walk on. I feel like I can always travel on the WET Sand, and am courteous when crossing the Sugar Sands of the Emerald Coast of Florida. Here are Christophers tips:
– When walking onto the sand from the landside, look for signs indicating who has authority over the beach. This could be the state, county, city, a private entity, or it may fall under a local customary use ordinance.
– If you are walking along the shore and come to a “private beach” sign or barrier, walk across that stretch close to the water. Respect the sign, though later, you may want to verify its claim with local authorities.
– Don’t even think about planting your beach chairs, towels, and umbrella on a beach you know is private. It is most often beachfront hotels, owners’ associations, and membership clubs that will actively enforce private beaches and lot lines extending to the MHWL.
– When a private property extends all the way down the dry sand to the high tide line, many (most?) individual owners understand and accept recreational Customary Use ordinances and public use. Beachfront hotels and owners associations don’t usually prevent public beachgoers from walking along the beach, though may only allow hotel guests and association members to sit and relax on their dry sand.
Christoper Carter – Who Owns The Beach?
We look forward to walking the beach with you and yours soon, on the Emerald Coast of Florida.
Thanks for stopping by and happy house hunting!
EdHooksJr. Real Estate Advisor