Yes.
Florida residents can receive a steep fine and even jail time if found on private beach property in Florida.
Trespassing on any private property is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail.
The Mean High Water Line acts as the boundary: the area below it is public while the area above it can be privately owned.
A 2018 law made it harder for local governments to grant public access to portions of the dry sand above the MHWL.
Formerly, local governments could under certain conditions grant the public “customary use” of portions of beach above the water line. Governments must now sue if they wish to reverse a property owner’s decision to restrict their private beachfront.
Sixty percent of Florida’s coasts are privately owned, according to the Florida law firm Pallager law.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: this brief has been updated to clarify the legal punishments for trespassing.
Sources
- Florida Legislature: Trespass on property other than structure or conveyanceFlorida House of Representatives
- Winter Park Law Office: Misdemeanor Penalties
- Pallegar Law: New Florida Law may Restrict Public Beach Access
