Special Use Permits
*Special Event Permitting has moved
Apply for Coastal Construction Permit
5 Steps for Your Permit
1
Contact
Contact St. Johns County Building Department for coordination and consultation of building permit (904) 827-6800.
2
View
Watch the Protected Species Training slideshow. Protected Species Training (Currently being updated- Please contact araybould@sjcfl.us or 904-209-3740).
3
Quiz
Complete the Quiz (Currently being updated- Please contact araybould@sjcfl.us or 904-209-3740). Please save quiz to your pc or mobile device, complete quiz, save, use SUBMIT button or attach to email and send to araybould@sjcfl.us.
4
Complete
Complete and sign the Beach Access Permit application. There are now two ways to submit your application: Print application, complete and sign, scan, and return to araybould@sjcfl.us. Save application to your pc or mobile device and complete, save, use SUBMIT button or attach to email and send to araybould@sjcfl.us.
Need Technical Assistance?
Acrobat Reader is required to view and/or complete the application on your computer and to sign with a digital signature.
If you have technical difficulty with the training, please email webmast@sjcfl.us so that we may assist you.
Ashley Raybould Environmental Supervisor
Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinator
Announcements
Commercial Fishing on County Beaches
From May 1 – October 31 commercial fishermen must obtain a permit by completing Protected Species Training (below) to fish commercially on County beaches. Permits are free. Training must be completed annually.
Apply for Commercial Fishing Permit
5 Steps for Your Permit
1
Watch
Watch the Protected Species Training slideshow (Will be updated in the future, please contact joneill@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0619).
2
Quiz
Complete Quiz (Will be updated in the future, please contact joneill@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0619).
Please save quiz to your pc or mobile device to complete.
3
Complete
Complete and sign application.
Please save application to your pc or mobile device to complete.
4
Come In
Call ahead to make an appointment to obtain permit – only available on Mondays. Bring your signed application and Saltwater Product License with RS endorsement.
Jade O’Neill
3171 Coastal Hwy
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 209-0619
joneill@sjcfl.us
Attn: Fishing Permit
5
Receive Permit
You must arrive in the vehicle you are obtaining a permit for with an annual beach pass affixed to dashboard.
Current annual pass affixed to passenger side of windshield, 4×4 or all wheel drive vehicle (no ATVs, motorcycles, etc.) Annual passes can be purchased at any toll booth from March 1 – Labor Day. Current State Saltwater Product License with Restricted Species (RS) endorsement.
Need Technical Assistance?
Acrobat Reader is required to view and/or complete the application on your computer and to sign with a digital signature.
If you have technical difficulty with the training, please email webmast@sjcfl.us so that we may assist you.
Jade O’Neill Environmental Specialist
Announcements
St. Johns County Beach Riding Updates
- Mickler’s Landing – Suspended – Due to coastal construction project.
- Exxon Beach Access – Open – Beach access is managed by the GTMNERR is open and available for riding below the mean high water line only. All St. Johns County rules and regulations for riding on the beach will apply. Please contact GTMNERR for parking and access information: 904-380-8600.
- Surfside Beach Access – Open –
- South Beaches – Seasonally Closed – Frank Butler Park East; 5860 A1A S. Beach entrance by way of Mary Street Ramp. Closes for Designated Spring Break Season Saturday, March 9th – last day to ride, Friday, March 8th.
Horseback Riding on County Beaches
FAQs
- Cost. Permits are free of charge.
- Clean Up. Please be considerate by treating the beaches, accesses and parking lots the same way you would your own barn.
- Want to know where to ride? Get our Map of beach access points and riding beaches.
- Tides. Please begin your ride 1-2 hours prior to a low tide event and conduct your horses below the most recent high tide line. Tide Predictions Page
- For more information about horseback riding in St. Johns County, please visit the St. Johns County Horse Council website.
Apply for Beach Horseback Riding Permit
6 Steps for Your Permit
3
Permit Level
Choose your Horseback Riding Permit Level below.
5
Submit
Email joneill@sjcfl.us, Fax (904) 209-0620, drop off, or mail completed quiz, application, and any required credentials:
Jade O’Neill
3171 Coastal Hwy
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Attn: Horseback Riding Permits
On Mobile Devices, you may screenshot your quiz results and text to joneill@sjcfl.us.
6
Receive Permit
It may take up to two weeks to process your permit.
Please review Planning your Ride below.
St. Johns County offers horseback riding on approximately 30 miles of our 41.1 miles of coastline. The County is responsible for implementing and abiding by a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Incidental Take Permit (ITP) through the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A special permit (follow steps below) is required to ride horses on St. Johns County beaches. Permits are free of charge.
Horseback Riding Permit Levels
Master Beach Equestrian Guide
- An individual with extensive riding experience on St. Johns County beaches and intends to ride regularly and frequently.
- Must complete Protected Species Training. Must provide no less than three letters of written recommendations from Master Equestrian Beach Guides, or written recommendations by the St. Johns County Horse Council, proof of membership to local riding club (if any), and/or some other proof of extensive riding experience on St. Johns County beaches.
- Allows permit holder to lead up to 10 individuals by horseback; permit is valid through 2026.
General Beach Equestrian Guide
- An individual intending to ride on St. Johns County beaches regularly and frequently but experience does not warrant a Master Beach Equestrian Guide Permit.
- Must complete Protected Species Training and sign completed application
- Allows permit holder to lead up to 10 individuals by horseback; permit is valid through 2026.
General Beach Equestrian Day Pass
- An individual desiring a one-time or infrequent horseback ride on the beach.
- May obtain necessary education and credentials from a Master Beach Equestrian Guide or through online training.
Planning Your Ride
Due to ongoing hurricane recovery, not all beaches may be available for equestrians. Please review the Announcements section above, follow us on social media, or contact Jade O’Neill 904-209-0619 when planning a ride.
Jade O’Neill Environmental Specialist
Driving on North Beach
North beach drivers must obtain a permit by completing Protected Species Training (below). Permits are free. Training must be completed annually.
North Beach Boundary 4 x 4 Driving Map
Requirements
Current annual pass affixed to passenger side of windshield, 4×4 or all-wheel drive vehicle (no ATVs, motorcycles, etc.) Annual passes can be purchased at any toll booth from March 1 – Labor Day. Preseason beach passes can be purchased at the Tax Collector’s offices, St. Johns County Fishing Pier, and the Recreation & Parks Department.
Apply for North Beach 4×4 Driving Permit
5 Steps for Your Permit
4
Come In
Vehicle Inspection Appointments – Are only available on Mondays. Please call (904) 209-0619 to schedule your appointment.
Bring your application and arrive in the vehicle you are obtaining a permit for with an annual beach pass affixed to windshield.
Jade O’Neill
3171 Coastal Hwy
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 209-0619
Attn: Beach Driving Permits
5
Receive Permit
You’re ready to go.
