[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6463132,"mediaKeyId","5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271","parentId",5786087,"title","Residents urge stronger enforcement, restored security‑permit rules and clearer cleanup funding for Walton County beaches","audioSeconds",2755,"startMs",1620000,"endMs",4375000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271&start=1620&end=4375","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271/thumbnail_1620000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6463132/Walton-County/Florida/Residents-urge-stronger-enforcement-restored-securitypermit-rules-and-clearer-cleanup-funding-for-Walton-County-beaches","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463132-c985558ccfc7f2d243e308b567774077/orig.mp4?Expires=1775065485&Signature=LLXpmwNL9DkmHRimAjRO66mnFIiwspt~rDwFoEV0taOd4tM9YYdy2j1X0lqvow7Z~8vcnHp7k9Vkgf0aZMb4QgomXWssWQgDJfd4fIOIG-VRUT-DO6~lDts6sY4jLVLqZ9qcG7Ly6FS18fX2gSiLHjgo42laFVu~R~Dafd4sFQUPhdI-Zft89DtOHIjklgQo96W-wk0FroIRboTYC2gr9EUYBV1zGLQz4ZLrjiabm-xzmvjSmySI2UceDOPihZ8knMDlZ9w~CkiHnt6DzYahEHU2EQ8XW~YsCrFu62QitZpOPSJUotD-vYxM1KAVBiRIzET7Z7z8mEyiNysjmWk4eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walton County","date","2025-09-18T11:41:26Z","article","Residents and vendors at the Walton County beach ordinance workshop urged the county to strengthen on‑beach enforcement, restore permit requirements for security/property managers and direct fine revenue toward beach cleanup.

Multiple speakers said debris from bonfires, unattended ashes and poorly cleaned setups increased this past season. Jessica Miller described frequent vendor cleanups of other people’s bonfire ash and said many new vendors lack training. County staff responded that officers and beach operations staff perform cleanup—using buckets, tongs and sifters in some cases—and that citations are paid through the clerk of court, not code compliance.

“Why aren't fines being used to then clean up the beach?” Miller asked. Tony Corman replied that citation payments are handled by the clerk of court and do not flow directly to code compliance.

Several residents reported confrontations with private property managers and vendors who approach or photograph beachgoers and asserted that removing permit requirements for security or property managers reduced accountability. One resident said a property manager had threatened and photographed children; she said she had contacted the sheriff’s office. Another speaker asked the county to restore a simple permitting step that would at least track security personnel interacting with the public.

Staff also discussed beach stewards contracted through a vendor named Coastal; speakers said stewards helped reduce complaints when they were present and urged expanded steward coverage, especially on neighborhood access points where facilities are lacking.

Why it matters: Complaints about debris, harassment and uneven cleanup practices affect beachgoer safety and experience and can lead to confrontations that require county action. Speakers proposed directing enforcement fees toward a raking or cleanup program and returning security‑permit language to the ordinance to increase oversight of private actors on public beaches.

Ending: County staff said they will gather data on citations, vendor counts and cleanup operations and will take public suggestions to the Board of County Commissioners. No ordinance change was made at the workshop; staff encouraged attendees to testify when the revised draft reaches the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Code Compliance Staff Public Workshop - Sep 17 2025 4:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers at the workshop called for reinstating vendor/security permit rules, using fines for beach cleanup and expanding the beach steward program after complaints about debris, harassment by private property managers and uneven enforcement.","taxTitle","Walton County, Florida","taxId",28197,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6463137,"Residents and advocacy groups press Walton County over vendors seaward of erosion‑control line",1324,3435000,4759000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271&start=3435&end=4759","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271/thumbnail_3435000.jpg","/articles/6463137/Walton-County/Florida/Residents-and-advocacy-groups-press-Walton-County-over-vendors-seaward-of-erosioncontrol-line","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463137-83a1ab79656e1ee00faea1ced1a30f80/orig.mp4?Expires=1775065485&Signature=f2W3oasrcROg6as~luPvPW1rEbypXEVKbqsTk7ld49HTlScdqkISt7RwU8My3cEmdAr5JIAy8XQqeetqviejwzI-tMMjyqFxVJn1nnf5sk~pCr2FWXk1rmgKk4rG9bmp2Vvv8y0UsYUCHSZBaEMpi8mZfn8-lUtjcZ9Shy8jcODSc~uYVgbdj2pAdBpVIC2hivXvIMFidkSFg2j7d7rFr1o9xmfSUxuNMpDnbaoFHc5dr26K2FSWiCrWE4v4ONF2yivqnYEM6kswi69sbReMtYz6dvm3a5qbv0hnwXUJewzgytLWJ8tzAF1ijDBkuqig1CJ~i8kBMiCHllBRDeK~tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A central and heated topic at Walton County’s beach ordinance workshop was whether private vendors may operate seaward of the county’s Erosion Control Line (ECL) — a question residents, advocacy groups and commercial operators asked county staff to resolve with legal counsel.

Several speakers cited a letter from the Florida Office of Public Counsel in Tallahassee and contended that, under Florida law, sand seaward of the ECL (or mean high‑water line in certain places) is sovereign public land and not available for private commercial use. Dave Roskol, representing Bridal Beaches for All, told the workshop attorneys had sent a demand letter asking the county to remove any ordinance language that the commenters believe encroaches on the public’s right to use seaward sand.

“This sand seaward of the ECL is public domain ... there should be no beach chairs,” Roskol said, and asked county staff to strike language that restricts public use or grants vendors exclusive setup in that zone.

Tony Corman acknowledged receipt of legal correspondence and said he had forwarded the material to county administration. He described the county’s current administrative direction: vendors are allowed to operate below the ECL, but noted that interpretation could change if legal counsel advises otherwise.

Why it matters: The ECL and mean high‑water line determine where state sovereign lands begin and where local regulatory authority differs. Several residents said the lack of a clear, publicly available survey line and differing interpretations have caused enforcement confusion and public confrontation between vendors and beachgoers.

Speakers asked the county to clarify whether leases and vendor contracts that grant exclusive placement rights on public accesses are consistent with state constitutional protections. County staff said this is a legal question for county counsel and that they will follow up during the off season.

Ending: Staff said they would work with legal counsel and county administration to resolve questions about vendor access seaward of the ECL and promised to include findings when they return a revised ordinance to the commissioners. No policy decision was made at the workshop.","Public commenters and attorneys notified the county that state and constitutional law may bar commercial vending seaward of the ECL; county staff said the current administrative direction allows vendors below the ECL but acknowledged the legal questions will be pursued with county counsel.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6463141,"Walton County considers tighter tent footprint rules and designated \"tent beaches\" for narrow accesses",112,2087000,2199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271&start=2087&end=2199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271/thumbnail_2087000.jpg","/articles/6463141/Walton-County/Florida/Walton-County-considers-tighter-tent-footprint-rules-and-designated-tent-beaches-for-narrow-accesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463141-8be414242f42a8127e5f9353572b271a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775065485&Signature=V2Rj26X-Jn9NaP8fmP46l8fL6gFC8cP1uAnYFPlA9SGKJvYGftL4Bae5WjkiJSXv2WfOe9ivDJcQ6h2bPBYOqUedABGUmMKPz8kdM22O~2zd7WyqD37yc5n6mhrV9fyPWDYslbdVz9Lc7uQWJp4SY1UE6ENqCNTAXlYEu3rsI2PwlVLQCjr~c5fEg863cFSdnT-Jq4mxGD617WxdtzDAVH2MkV5jxW8uouFX-U8DXopv~pO2TE3Pzz5K2u2p~ZLGCsV83mZUguyP4-Ys~BnLDWxcqiyBswmjO-20YKX9srxjj0TEMSpIn1xpHHTFx7PWum-nncYQMAHYTfNh~aT3Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walton County staff proposed clarifications to the beach activities ordinance meant to reduce conflicts over tents at narrow beach accesses, and workshop participants suggested designating larger beaches for tents.

Tony Corman said the draft clarifies the 10‑foot footprint limit for temporary shelters by explicitly including strings, bags, straps, legs and other attachments in the measurement. Staff noted enforcement problems on narrow neighborhood accesses where the required emergency vehicle toe line and the “upper half” tent restriction leave little usable space.

“Once you give 15 foot at the toe of the dune for the emergency vehicles ... there may only be 25 foot, 30 at the most left,” Corman said, explaining why a tent that sits two feet below the center mark creates enforcement issues.

Several speakers proposed alternatives. One vendor suggested designating larger beaches as tent beaches so users can select areas that accommodate bigger shelters. Barbara Murano, a volunteer beach ambassador, urged the county to use beach stewards and contracted vendors more actively to reduce confusion and improve on‑site guidance.

Why it matters: Staff said narrow access points and inconsistent tent placement impede emergency access and public use. The draft clarifies measurement language to make enforcement more straightforward and discussed operational options, including prohibiting tents on very narrow accesses or establishing “tent beaches.”

Ending: Staff said the tent language is a draft recommendation and will be part of the ordinance package that goes to the Board of County Commissioners. No final action was taken at the workshop.","Staff proposed clarifying that tent footprints cannot exceed 10x10 including guy lines and accessories and discussed restricting tents at narrow neighborhood accesses or designating larger beach areas for tents to preserve emergency access and pedestrian flow.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6463145,"Walton County draft would require vendor‑branded chairs and limit alterations to permit decals",76,3113000,3189000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271&start=3113&end=3189","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271/thumbnail_3113000.jpg","/articles/6463145/Walton-County/Florida/Walton-County-draft-would-require-vendorbranded-chairs-and-limit-alterations-to-permit-decals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463145-7d9c76e585816feb3626d09fab7e84e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775065485&Signature=PVnBQsuojmK6YNtW3KDsmeRK3jh4LN3xGvFz1zqDmqbAXw0eI1j11RaQ2p~Bsj9-FVHuj-qZ3eiFbulcI0Yu55rhXLbUarapTfTgc-7O2WZtNFK13JHArGQwxLgklrzO5V1QFd4rzpLVdBGvc~apr3Sex-tpSrzRdn7ufbboaXtSzh~RXkMUfNm3miRzgb2HR5DRrIW7ibF50ZHcECnUnxdFTiBSqji81LWv8-~OHGz0T7FZiGqV4R8Vzu2VR1WxaNJHcIBsjfAGq6azXkyREKSAqjrWIMfleeQClAfJrahDdweQuhFjSA64ZFjRqcb~wQaLuFOanEDgmjCwb9vNgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walton County staff told a public workshop they plan to require vendor‑branded beach equipment and tighten identification of permits as part of proposed changes to the beach activities ordinance.

Tony Corman, director of code compliance, said draft language would require beach chairs and umbrellas provided by vendors to display the vendor’s name and/or logo effective Feb. 1, 2026. The draft would also prohibit alteration or modification of the county-issued permit decal for permitted vehicles on the beach.

The draft clarifies that a delivery permit allows a vendor to bring goods or services to the beach but does not permit vending from the beach and excludes delivery to accesses managed under the county’s managed‑vendor program. Corman said site‑specific permit holders would still be allowed to store equipment in approved temporary beach storage boxes, and the ordinance cleanup aims to make enforcement clearer.

Why it matters: County staff said clearer identification helps officers distinguish permitted equipment and identify unauthorized setups. Vendors at the workshop said marking equipment can help, but asked for reasonable transition timing and raised concerns about costs.

Jessica Miller, a longtime local vendor, supported clearer standards for identifying vendor equipment but asked for additional transition time to retrofit or replace chairs and pits and suggested allowing approved smokeless pits alongside propane during a phased period.

Corman told the group permit expirations and other calendar language were clarified in the draft (for example, some permits start Aug. 1 but were previously written to expire Aug. 1; staff clarified that permits start Aug. 1 and prior permits expire at midnight July 31). He also said the county will enforce removal of equipment within one hour after sunset unless a site‑specific storage box is approved for that vendor.

Ending: Staff emphasized these are draft recommendations for public comment and that the Board of County Commissioners will consider any ordinance changes. No formal action was taken at the workshop.","Staff proposed rules that vendor chairs and umbrellas display vendor name or logo starting Feb. 1, 2026; permit decals must not be altered; site‑specific vendors may use approved temporary beach storage boxes; delivery permits carry limits.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6463147,"Walton County staff propose switching beach bonfires to propane fire pits",302,357000,659000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271&start=357&end=659","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786087-89836d2f43ad20ef8995e48296399271/thumbnail_357000.jpg","/articles/6463147/Walton-County/Florida/Walton-County-staff-propose-switching-beach-bonfires-to-propane-fire-pits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463147-466efea636e422ae7999f8d1d84eacff/orig.mp4?Expires=1775065485&Signature=O-6fQo5iyUyg7R5pfvqASEtST9BDCoSm72JUfKJyKn-U59t53wsepAn-fVtweX9SjVSLVaz-8jlvozcykZ2hdJNa7p864qeUtyVTMoUJwPoF74tUZwsSYyqVik7HrSand9o0j55UWEf6odc2K1pfq6PIJxlZ0uqo87gZiB2zM9iH-cfu1Aq8YwWZ3fVbIeAak4srS0t2jN5vwc6D~Ux7lhf7NWIrKINXG3fjWnIAV3iCqsXi2LLgsDsqzzjU6Dk9NYO8vxqFwRvPNOIJXEA42bC24BPK5tSl8GFdfMk7em-XMso00hdzc3URXzTpdEpPPUYnpEj7IeSJmjkrRqsrFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walton County code compliance staff on Wednesday proposed changing the beach activities ordinance to allow only tested propane fire pits for beach bonfires, citing complaints about smoke and debris from wood fires.

The county’s deputy director of code compliance, Tony Corman, and South Walton Fire District representative Sammy Sanchez said the proposed language would require fire pits to be UL-listed or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) listed, use a standard 20-pound propane bottle, sit at least 4 inches off the sand and be no larger than 3 feet in diameter. The draft would also require a tagged 5-pound ABC fire extinguisher on site and prohibit fire rings or pits without bottoms. Tiki torches would remain an exception; cooking attachments would be banned on the propane fire pits.

“Following requirements shall be strictly adhered to for approval slash use for all propane fire pits on the beach,” Sanchez told the workshop and read the draft safety standards in full. Corman said the switch is intended to produce a “cleaner burn” and reduce the amount of debris left on the beach.

Why it matters: County staff said debris from wood bonfires created recurring complaints and washup problems. The change would affect vendors, private homeowners and visitors who currently use wood fires on county-maintained beaches.

Vendors and residents raised safety, cost and timing concerns during the public comment portion. Linda Frakes, a resident, told the staff she preferred wood fires for ambiance and said she would stop buying a vendor bonfire if required to haul a propane tank. “I’m not gonna do a bonfire where I have to carry a propane tank and a propane I just won’t do it anymore,” Frakes said.

Jessica Miller, owner of Serene Occasions and a local bonfire vendor, said her company already uses smokeless, self-contained “solo stove” pits and urged the county to allow both smokeless solid-fuel containers and propane so vendors would have time to transition. “I would propose that you would allow for a smokeless bonfire and propane option for 2026 and allow for better transition time frame,” Miller said, arguing the proposed timeline would be difficult for small businesses to meet.

Other speakers pressed safety trade-offs. Sarah Day, a resident, asked whether a propane tank sitting behind a fire would present a hazard if children approached the setup; county staff replied that propane-equipped pits offer the ability to shut off fuel quickly but acknowledged the change adds a new element for vendors and customers to manage.

County staff said they have not set a final effective date and are taking public input before sending the draft ordinance to the Board of County Commissioners. Corman said the county aims to return a proposed ordinance for commissioners’ consideration before the next permit-issuing season that begins Feb. 1, 2026, but cautioned the timeline could slip.

Ending: The workshop produced no vote; staff said they will incorporate feedback and present a revised draft to the county commissioners. In the meantime, vendors and residents urged the county to allow smokeless solid-fuel options, provide longer transition time and issue clear guidance and training for new equipment and safety checks.","Code compliance staff proposed replacing wood beach bonfires with tested propane fire pits to reduce smoke and debris, and outlined safety standards including UL/CSA listing, 20-pound tank limit, minimum hose length and required extinguisher. Vendors and residents raised safety, cost and transition concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge stronger enforcement, restored security‑permit rules and clearer cleanup funding for Walton County beaches

Residents and advocacy groups press Walton County over vendors seaward of erosion‑control line

Walton County considers tighter tent footprint rules and designated "tent beaches" for narrow accesses

Walton County draft would require vendor‑branded chairs and limit alterations to permit decals

Walton County staff propose switching beach bonfires to propane fire pits