Bay County adopts updates to beach safety code, adds rules for weddings and bonfires

The Bay County Board of County Commissioners on May 20 adopted amendments to Chapter 5 (Boats, Beaches and Water Safety) of the Bay County Code of Ordinances that add specific rules for beach wedding events and beach bonfires, establish a centralized administrative appeals section, and make multiple clarifying edits.

The action was presented by the County Attorney and approved by unanimous roll call. The ordinance package removes specific fee amounts from the chapter (so fines and fees can be updated in a separate schedule), adds a new administrative appeals section (proposed section 1-11) that the board can reference across chapters, and adds a set of new subsections to 5-88 addressing weddings and bonfires.

Why it matters: The changes codify practices already occurring on Bay County beaches and set clearer expectations for organizers, vendors and emergency responders. They define what constitutes a beach wedding event, distinguish smaller gatherings from larger events that require a special-event permit, set time windows for bonfires, and spell out reporting steps if sea turtle hatchlings are discovered.

Key provisions and discussion - Weddings: The ordinance differentiates smaller wedding ceremonies (fewer than 40 attendees) from larger events. Larger beach weddings must comply with Article 7 of the chapter and follow the county’s special-events permitting process; gatherings under 40 are subject to the new subsection’s requirements but generally do not require the Article 7 special-event permit. The County Attorney said the provision limits a beach wedding to a marriage ceremony only and “doesn’t involve any post ceremony reception, celebrations, or other events.”

- Bonfires: The new subsection makes it unlawful to ignite or maintain a bonfire on the sand beach area except in compliance with the Florida Fire Protection Code and after obtaining the required permit. The ordinance sets a time window for bonfires between 5 p.m. and 12 a.m., requires that the person who ignites the bonfire remain on site to tend it, and specifies allowable fuel/materials and distances from marked sea turtle nests. The County Attorney noted the county will require permit records so staff can verify authorized bonfires and alert emergency services when appropriate.

- Vehicle access, vendors and turtles: The code does not change existing vehicle access times for work vehicles on the beach (driving permitted sunrise–10 a.m. and 4 p.m.–sunset). The County Attorney said the ordinance does not require vendors to remove their chairs or equipment for a wedding; existing vendor operations remain a separate regulatory matter. If a hatchling or turtle nest is discovered, permit holders must call Bay County Emergency Services so the county can notify the appropriate wildlife responders.

- Appeals and fees: The package creates an appeals process in chapter 1 (section 1-11) so future permit or enforcement appeals in different chapters can reference a single procedure. The ordinance also removes fixed dollar amounts from the chapter and moves them to the county’s fee schedule.

What commissioners asked: Commissioners asked whether the rules align with Panama City Beach’s regulations, whether vendors must move equipment for ceremonies, and how the county will educate permit holders about marked sea turtle nests. The County Attorney said many substantive provisions are similar to Panama City Beach rules but that Bay County’s approach is somewhat less restrictive (the city requires a list of approved vendors for bonfires). Staff agreed to work on permit materials that describe turtle-nest markings and who to call.

Outcome: The board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance changes. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Crosby, Commissioner Raffield, Commissioner Peace and Chairman Moore.

Ending: County staff said the updates are intended to clarify and codify practices already occurring on county beaches and that permitting materials and informational language (for turtle nests and bonfire safety) will be prepared to accompany the new rules.