Kaydence
Beach Fanatic
in Panama City Beach city limits.
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - After a new state bill reversed Walton County's customary land use law, concerns are on the rise in Panama City Beach over the same debate: Will some of the beaches behind private properties stay open to the public?
Panama City Beach city council members drafted a new law in response to those concerns.
They say the new legislation would prohibit "no trespassing" signs from being placed on the beach to keep the beaches open to the public.
That means the signs are not allowed from the dunes to the Gulf, but they are allowed from the dunes to the roadway as that area is considered private property.
Panama City Beach Mayor Mike Thomas says the new law plays a vital role in our local economy because keeping the beaches open to the public keeps visitors coming to the area.
"It's important for people to know they're welcome in an area and that's our job. Panama City Beach does not have an ad valorem tax. We make a living off other people's money and we want them to know we appreciate it, we welcome them here and we want them to have a good time," he said.
"No trespassing" signs prohibited on beaches in Panama City Beach city limits
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - After a new state bill reversed Walton County's customary land use law, concerns are on the rise in Panama City Beach over the same debate: Will some of the beaches behind private properties stay open to the public?
Panama City Beach city council members drafted a new law in response to those concerns.
They say the new legislation would prohibit "no trespassing" signs from being placed on the beach to keep the beaches open to the public.
That means the signs are not allowed from the dunes to the Gulf, but they are allowed from the dunes to the roadway as that area is considered private property.
Panama City Beach Mayor Mike Thomas says the new law plays a vital role in our local economy because keeping the beaches open to the public keeps visitors coming to the area.
"It's important for people to know they're welcome in an area and that's our job. Panama City Beach does not have an ad valorem tax. We make a living off other people's money and we want them to know we appreciate it, we welcome them here and we want them to have a good time," he said.
"No trespassing" signs prohibited on beaches in Panama City Beach city limits
