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Business owners urge Destin council to step up enforcement against illegal beach vendors
Summary
Local property owner and business leader Carrie Harbarger urged the council to intensify code enforcement to stop unauthorized mobile vendors and other illegal commercial activity on Destin beaches ahead of spring season, saying the activity harms established local businesses that invest in brick-and-mortar operations.
During the meeting’s public comment period, Carrie Harbarger of Mountain Drive told the council she has repeatedly raised concerns about illegal wheeled vendors and other unauthorized commercial activity on the beach and urged the city to increase code-enforcement and sheriff attention ahead of spring break and the summer season.
“Enough is enough,” Harbarger said. “We have to stop the illegal businesses. We have to give more to the cause, Mr. Jones.” She told the council she had met with City Manager Larry Jones and expected the city to take stronger enforcement action, saying some outside operators have taken significant seasonal revenue that would otherwise go to established local businesses.
City responses and enforcement options: Council members and staff discussed remedies available under the city code and state statute. City counsel and staff explained that code-enforcement typically begins with a warning and then moves to a citation if violations continue; council members discussed pursuing civil court orders or contempt proceedings in extreme cases to bar repeat offenders. The city attorney noted court remedies are available but would require litigation direction and resources.
Why it matters: Residents and businesses said the issue threatens local businesses that rely on short high-season windows to operate. Council members said staff should prioritize enforcement before the upcoming busy season and explore evidence-gathering strategies (for example, staff observations and authenticated video evidence) to support citations and any court action.
Ending: Council members agreed on urgency; the city manager and legal staff were asked to present an enforcement plan to the council that identifies staffing, evidence collection and, if necessary, the feasibility of civil court remedies to restrain repeat violators ahead of spring break and summer tourism season.
