7.0 BEACH REGULATIONS

7.1 Swimming at public beach areas is prohibited under the following conditions:

7.1(a) If the beach is closed due to lightning or other dangerous conditions.
7.1(b) If swimmers are wearing long pants or shoes.
7.1(c) Beyond 50 yards from shore.
7.1(d) If children are not properly supervised by adults (proper supervision is one adult minimum per ten children).

7.2 Skin and scuba diving shall be permitted from the Fort Lauderdale Beach under the following regulations:

7.2(a) All divers must be accompanied by at least one other diver.
7.2(b) Each diver is equipped with a buoyancy compensator.
7.2(c) Divers must have an approved diver's down flag displayed in accordance with Statutes of the State of Florida.
7.2(d) Scuba divers must remain a minimum of 100 yards offshore, except when entering or leaving the water. All scuba divers must remain on the surface of the water until they reach 100 yards offshore.  At that time they are no longer under the supervision of the beach patrol and are permitted to go under the surface.
7.2(e) Divers using mask, snorkel, and fins within 50 yards are permitted and are considered bathers. If skin divers desire to go beyond 50 yards, then all other requirements of Rule 7.2 applicable to scuba divers must be met.
7.2(f) The use or possession of spear guns or similar weapons is prohibited on the beach. Such weapons must be transported a minimum distance of 100 yards offshore. During such transportation, weapons must be handled safely in an unarmed condition.
7.2(g) Scuba instruction by private enterprise is prohibited.

7.3 Use of boats and watercraft are subject to the following regulations:

7.3(a)  Designated Boat Launching Area – located
(i) 600 South Atlantic Boulevard on the beach and
(ii) 1000 North Atlantic Boulevard at the end of Sunrise Boulevard and the beach
7.3(b) Watercraft permitted to launch in Designated Boat Launching Area: 
(i) Manually powered watercraft (e.g. kayak, stand-up paddleboard, inflatables, outrigger canoes, etc., but not including surfboard activity area).
(ii) Sail powered watercraft (e.g. Sunfish, catamaran sailboats, kite surfing, windsurfing, etc.).
(iii) Watercraft are permitted to launch or return pursuant to the conditions of City Code § 8-173.
(iv) The Designated Boat Launching Areas and channels are for launching and returning watercraft only.  Watercraft may not anchor or interfere with the use of the channel area within the Designated Boat Launching Area.
7.3(c) Designated Activity Area – located between Lifeguard Tower 16 and Lifeguard Tower 20 (N.E. 18^th Street)7.3(d) Watercraft activities permitted in Designated Activity Area:
(i) Manually powered watercraft (e.g. surfing, surfboards, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, inflatables, outrigger canoes, etc.)
(ii) Wave powered watercraft (surfboards, paddleboards, etc.)
7.3(e) No watercraft may be kept on the beach overnight, except those properly registered with the City to stay in designated areas.

7.4 The following beach regulations are intended to reduce safety hazards which may cause injury to beach patrons:

7.4(a) Playing ball, Frisbee, flying kites, or any other game that may endanger patrons on the beach or in the water, is limited to designated times and areas as posted or as determined by City officials.
7.4(b) Fishing or netting of fish is limited to the hours of 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. when on the beach and must be conducted in a safe manner. All debris, bait, fish line and hooks, and other fishing equipment or tackle must be removed from the beach after fishing has been conducted.
7.4(c) Dogs and pets are prohibited on the sandy portion of the beach; except for service animals and the area that is designated as Canine Beach (see 4.1 c).
7.4(d) Surfing is allowed in designated surfing area only.
7.4(e) Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the beach.
7.4(f) Glass bottles and glass containers are prohibited on the beach.
7.4(g) Digging holes or erecting tents, canopies and fencing is prohibited.
7.4(h) Unauthorized use of lifeguard towers is prohibited.
7.4(i) Anyone requested to do so must move out of the way of Police, Beach Patrol, Park Ranger, or other Government Service vehicles.
7.4(j) No person shall interfere with Police, Lifeguards or Park Rangers or Park Personnel in the performance of their lawful duties.
7.4(k) Directives given by the lifeguards must be adhered to.

7.4(L) No person shall utilize any grill or generator without a city approval/permit
7.4(M) No atv’s, golf carts, go carts , mopeds or motorized/electric vehicles are permitted on sand; only authorized city personnel are permitted use of the aforementioned.

7.5 The following regulations are intended to eliminate nuisance activity on the beach and provide patrons with a pleasant environment in which to recreate:

7.5(a) Loud Noise. No person or group shall play or operate any sound amplification device including radios, television sets, turn tables, tape decks, public address systems, amplified musical instruments or any other loud noise generation device which disturbs other persons.
7.5(b) Commercial photography and filming are prohibited unless a film permit from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau is obtained.
7.5(c) Soliciting, begging or panhandling is prohibited.  This includes tips or payment for any service, performance or instruction.
7.5(d) Removing trash and debris from waste receptacles requires a written permit from the Parks and Recreation Department. Such a permit shall be issued under specific criteria determined by that Department.
7.5(e) Use of picnic tables for other than picnic purposes is prohibited. Proper use of tables for picnicking is on a first come, first serve basis. Holding tables for patrons who have not arrived is prohibited.
7.5(f) Drying clothes by hanging them on trees, bushes, tables or in or around rest rooms is prohibited.
7.5(g) Attaching any objects, including but not limited to, hammocks, ropes, slack lines, clotheslines, flags or banners to trees, showers or structures is prohibited.
7.5(h) Beach sea oat and dune plantings are protected and no person shall cut, damage, or remove such plants from the beach.
7.5(i) No person shall discharge any fireworks on any portion of the City Beach unless done as part of a special event authorized by the City. Fireworks shall mean any combustible or explosive composition or substance or combination of substance or any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, including sparklers.