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