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Hendry County moves to restrict boat‑ramp parking, sets new escalating fines
Summary
The Hendry County Commission voted to amend ordinance 1‑6‑1 to reserve marked boat‑ramp stalls for vehicles towing boats, ban aircraft use of ramps, add new signage and an escalating fine schedule (warning, $100, $150, $200). Commissioners and sheriff’s representatives discussed enforcement, towing and fire‑lane hazards.
Hendry County commissioners voted May 13 to amend county code section 1‑6‑1 to reserve marked boat‑ramp parking for vehicles with boats in tow, prohibit aircraft from using ramps and establish an escalating fine schedule after a warning.
County planning staff brought the ordinance change forward, saying marked spaces at the LaBelle boat ramp had been occupied repeatedly by nearby business patrons and others, blocking access for boaters. Ryan Alexander, Hendry County director of planning and community development, told the commission the ramp has 18 spaces, 14 now marked for boat‑parking only, and a small number left to serve pavilion users.
The change adds language to restrict parking to vehicles towing boats and to prohibit aircraft using the ramp area. The ordinance also prescribes enforcement steps: a warning followed by graduated fines to deter repeat violators. Commissioners discussed several fine schedules and settled on a first‑offense warning, then $100, $150 and $200 for subsequent violations. Kevin Nelson, representing the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, noted that some parking violations may be enforced under state statute when a driver is present and under county ordinance when a driver is absent. Nelson told the board that fire‑lane violations typically carry higher penalties and stressed that blocked access can impede emergency vehicles.
Commissioners pressed staff about signage, towing, and whether the county could raise fines above state minima for parking. County attorney Matt Rogers (for the record) said the county can adopt stricter parking rules than the state, though not less stringent. Alexander said staff will add clearer signage, work with Sheriff’s Office enforcement, and coordinate plans for towing when needed. Several commissioners urged using towing early to change behavior, and the board asked staff to evaluate fire‑lane enforcement separately.
The commission voted to adopt the ordinance amendment and the new enforcement schedule. The item was presented and discussed in a public hearing; no members of the public provided testimony on the boat‑ramp item during the hearing.
Why this matters: Boat ramps are a public access facility. Commissioners emphasized that limited parking and blocked access create public‑safety and emergency‑response risks and that local enforcement and signage will be needed to preserve launch access for boaters and first responders.
