Seaside beach

Question

Confused about seaside beach. Is it mostly private property? We were there yesterday and had to walk about a 1/4 mile to a little public beach access but while on the beach at this access point we noticed signs all along the beach staring private property from the back of the homes to the water line. Were we really not supposed to be there? Kinda confusing. Just wondering. TIA

Answer

Hi there! It can be a bit confusing, especially in areas like Seaside Beach, where public and private properties sometimes blend together. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

Seaside Beach itself is a public beach, but the properties along the beach, including many of the homes, are indeed privately owned. The land that stretches from the back of these homes to the waterline is typically private property. However, the general rule in Florida is that the beach from the high-water mark (also called the "mean high tide" line) to the water is considered public property, which means that the public has the right to use that area of the beach. The issue comes in where private property owners try to extend their property lines to the water's edge, sometimes putting up signs that claim the beach is private. This can be confusing, but the reality is that as long as you’re in the area of the beach that lies beyond the high-water mark, you are legally allowed to be there.

It sounds like you were at a public access point, which is great! The quarter-mile walk you mentioned may have just been part of the layout of Seaside's beach access, as there are several designated public access points throughout the area. While some private property owners do put up signs marking their property, unless they are claiming the area of the beach that is technically public (the space between the high-water mark and the water), you are allowed to be there. Just be mindful of where these signs are placed—if they’re near the back of homes or fences, they’re likely referring to the property behind the beach and not the sand you were walking on.

To clarify:

Seaside Beach itself is a public beach, but many of the surrounding properties are privately owned.
The public has access to the beach from the high-water line to the water, even if private property is along the back.
Signs may indicate private property behind the beach, but as long as you're on the sand near the water, you are within your rights to be there.

It's always a good idea to use the designated public access points to avoid any confusion with private property, and you should be fine. Hopefully, that clears things up! Have a great time at the beach!

Seaside beach

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