Venice officials told the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners and Venice City Council on May 16 that an Anchorage Limitation Area (ALA) in Roberts Bay has been active since March 1, 2025, and that the city is using a 45‑day notice period to require vessels to move or face removal.

"As soon as a vessel shows up into our area, we quickly identify it, notify the owner of that vessel that they're now in in Anchorage limitation area, and that 45 day clock has started," Master Officer Paul Joyce, Venice Police Department Marine Patrol, said during the joint meeting.

City presenters said the ALA, created by a city ordinance implemented in coordination with Sarasota County, aims to keep vessels moving and to reduce dereliction that can create navigational hazards near residential properties. Ashley Castle, assistant director of Public Works for the city of Venice, summarized the paperwork and permitting steps the city completed to activate the ALA, including a Florida uniform waterway marker permit from FWC and a required verification of exemption from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The presenters described the removal process and some financial consequences. "We do have to remove them at the city's expense," Castle said, noting the city sometimes recoups money from registered owners but not always. Joyce said vessels that remain after the 45‑day notice must remove themselves at least 3 nautical miles from the location and may not return for six months.

Officials said the program is in its early stages and has reduced the number of long‑term anchored vessels in Roberts Bay. Joyce reported four vessels currently in the ALA under the 45‑day process, with planned removals scheduled for June. He described the installation of signage and buoys that include the permit number required by state rules and said the city placed two signs on pilings plus six buoys to mark the zone.

City staff also described permitting and vendor challenges. Castle said FWC requires a verification of exemption from the Army Corps before an FWC permit becomes active, and the city used an outside vendor to install buoys and signs; that vendor had schedule delays because it also provided emergency response barge work during the recent hurricane seasons.

Commissioners and council members asked about regional interest and adoption. Commissioner Smith asked whether other municipalities had contacted Venice about the program; presenters said Cape Coral and Pinellas County had inquired and Charlotte County had invited Venice to present in June.

Officials said they have not yet issued citations to vessel owners who complied within the 45‑day window. The presenters framed the ALA as a tool to reduce homeowner complaints, limit environmental risk from sinking or decaying vessels, and lower cleanup costs borne by taxpayers.

City staff did not propose new formal board action at the meeting; they presented the program status, answered questions and requested continued cooperation with Sarasota County as the ALA is enforced and as neighboring jurisdictions consider similar measures.