Walton County vendors briefed on bonfire cleanup, beach safety and turtle protections ahead of spring season

Walton County officials and beach vendors met to review this year’s beach vending rules, bonfire permitting and cleanup expectations, and beach-safety operations ahead of spring break and the 2025 season.

The meeting focused on practical reminders for vendors: remove bonfire debris from the beach, keep vending equipment on the dry sand, follow flag instructions, and use the county complaint form to report violations.

Lieutenant Tommy Philette, who oversees special operations including beach operations for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, said the sheriff’s office will be staffed for the season and encouraged vendors to flag down deputies or beach operations staff if they need help. “If you see them driving down the beach in a truck or a UTV, hey, flag them down,” Philette said, adding the office aims to maintain positive relationships with vendors.

David Vaughn, beach safety director for the South Walton Fire District, urged vendors to keep emergency vehicle access areas clear and to follow the lifeguard flag system. “We’re getting ready to start on March 1. Hours of operation are gonna be our regular 10 to 6, but I am gonna have full time supervisory staff out there as early as 8,” Vaughn said. He also asked vendors to call 911 for rescues and to call his office for beach-safety issues.

Sammy Sanchez, fire marshal for the South Walton Fire District, reviewed the bonfire permitting history and enforcement process. Sanchez said the district took over bonfire permitting in 2010 and that permit volume has grown substantially: “Last year, I believe, we pulled, we issued 13,000 permits.” He warned vendors that online bonfire permitting systems have been difficult to perfect because South Walton’s rules are highly specific and sometimes require manual review. He provided the fire district bonfire contact: beachbonfire@SWFD.org.

Vendors and code officers discussed routine enforcement practice. County code staff repeated that the ordinance requires vendors’ chairs and umbrellas be set up and maintained on dry sand and that each vendor shall have an on-site trash receptacle and remove all trash within 100 feet of their operation at the end of each day. “That’s what he’s talking about. So just help him out if you will,” a county staff member said while reiterating the 100-foot cleanup requirement under the ordinance.

TurtleWatch volunteer Lacey, identified as the group’s president and permit holder, reminded attendees that sea turtles are attracted to light. “Sea turtles are attracted to lights. So flashlights, your tiki torches, bonfires, anything like that, they’re going to be attracted to it,” she said, noting that disoriented hatchlings can be fatally delayed by lights and beach activity.

Beach supervisors and managed-vendor officers outlined operational details: managed-vendor officers will be present seven days a week in two shifts, beach stewards (previously called ambassadors) will be stationed at many regional accesses, and supervisors will use “common sense” when applying rules during weather events or low-beach conditions. Supervisors also described tools they use to document bonfires, such as dropping pins at nighttime fire locations to support morning inspections.

Code enforcement staff asked vendors to use the county complaint portal (beach code form) when reporting violations so supervisors can track responses and follow up. Staff said Wednesday is a heavy staffing day because both enforcement shifts overlap for training and coverage.

Officials reiterated prohibitions and special dates: sky lanterns are illegal year-round; fireworks are restricted to New Year’s Eve/Day and July 4; and bonfire permits are not issued for July 4 because of high beach use. Staff said they will generally provide warnings and reasonable time to correct non-safety violations in line with Florida statute, with immediate action reserved for imminent-safety issues such as glass on the beach or double red flags.

Participants asked questions about beach surveys and stakes being placed at dune toes; staff said those stakes are tied to property and beach-survey work such as customary-use or FDEP surveys and that the county enforcement officers are not currently enforcing against the survey stakes themselves. Officials asked for patience while surveys are completed.

The meeting closed with reminders to vendors: secure valid 2025 vending licenses via code enforcement, remove bonfire remnants promptly, keep equipment on dry sand, comply with signage and flag rules, and use the official complaint form for enforcement requests. Contact information provided during the meeting included a South Walton Fire District bonfire email (beachbonfire@SWFD.org) and a phone number given by a managed-vendor manager for operational concerns: (850) 233-0914.

No formal votes or ordinance changes were made at the meeting; staff said the ordinance had not been changed since its last passage in June 2024 and that most 2024 authorization codes are now invalid for permit processing.

Ending: Officials said they will monitor the season, prioritize compliance over punitive measures where appropriate, and asked vendors to help keep beaches safe and clean.