Beach Rules & Safe Driving

Animals

• Dogs are welcome, but must remain on a leash at all times, including in the water.
• Pet waste must be picked up and properly disposed of. Doggy waste bags are available at most walkovers and vehicular beach access ramps.

Prohibited Items & Activities

• No alcoholic beverages
• No glass containers
• No balloon or lantern releases
• No fireworks – including on holidays
• No open fires
• No overnight camping
• No flashlights at night
• No littering
• No launching or landing drones on the beach
• No launching motorized boats from the beach
• No commercial activity, including soliciting or canvassing, without a permit

Events & Permits

• All events held on the beach must be properly permitted.

Grilling

• Grills must be self-contained, and all items brought to the beach (including coals) must be taken with you when you leave.
• Do not dispose of coals in the sand or on the beach.

Beach Equipment

• Sun shades are allowed, but must not exceed 10′ x 10′ in size.
  • Do not leave items on the beach overnight. They will be confiscated.

Help preserve the natural beauty and delicate ecosystems of our beaches by following these important guidelines:

• Do not leave any items on the beach overnight. This includes tents, chairs, umbrellas, coolers, catamarans, trailers, and any other personal belongings. Items left overnight may be removed and disposed of.
• Use designated dune walkovers to access the beach. Crossing over dunes damages sensitive vegetation and contributes to erosion.
• Do not remove beach sand or vegetation. Both are essential to the stability of the shoreline and the health of coastal habitats.
• Stay out of the Conservation Zone, which is clearly marked by brown signs. No activities of any kind are permitted within this protected area.
• Harassing or disturbing wildlife is strictly prohibited. This includes birds, sea turtles, and other native species.
• Minimize beachfront lighting to protect nesting and hatchling sea turtles. Please turn off or shield outdoor lights and draw curtains at night.
• Flashlights and lanterns are not permitted during sea turtle nesting season (May 1 – October 31). Artificial light can disorient nesting females and hatchlings.
• We do not remove seaweed from the beach. Seaweed plays an important role in the coastal ecosystem by preventing erosion, nourishing dune vegetation, and providing habitat for marine life. Letting nature take its course helps maintain a healthy shoreline.

Your cooperation helps protect our coastal environment and the wildlife that depends on it. Thank you for doing your part!

General Driving Rules

• Drive at your own risk and expense.
• Soft sand conditions may exist. Conditions are posted daily on the St. Johns County Beaches Facebook page, at each toll booth during operational hours, and at all access gates.
• Four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended.
• A valid beach driving pass is required from March through September. Annual and daily passes must be presented at toll booths for scanning.
• All vehicles must stop at the toll booths for toll attendants to scan passes.
• Pedestrians always have the right of way.

Traffic & Parking

• Vehicles must stay within designated driving lanes, which are marked with traffic cones.
• Parking is only allowed on the west side of the driving lane, along the edge of the conservation zone.
• No saving parking spaces.
• The beach speed limit is 10 mph and is strictly enforced.
• Perpendicular parking is encouraged during peak times, including weekends and holidays, to maximize available space.
  • Please note: The stretch from A Street to Crescent Beach is one-way southbound and requires a minimum of 15 feet of clearance for traffic flow.
• Tents and chairs must be set up on the oceanside of the driving lane (east of the cones).
  • Sitting or laying within the travel lane or parking area is prohibited.

Traffic Direction

• Southbound traffic only is permitted between the A Street Ramp and the Crescent Beach Ramp.
• Both northbound and southbound traffic is allowed between the Crescent Beach Ramp and the Fort Matanzas Ramp.
• Fort Matanzas Ramp is EXIT ONLY. No entry is permitted at this location.

For a complete list of beach regulations, please refer to the St. Johns County Beach Code 2007-19 Ordinance. Additionally, see Beach Code Amendment 24-05 for updated provisions on drones, electric bicycles, scooters, and other motorized devices, as well as Ordinance 2017-36 for the most recent county-wide animal code.