Walton County · Florida
HIGH HAZARD · RED High hazard, dangerous currents
75.6Water °F
2.8Waves ft
77.4Air °F
5.35UV
Flag is county-wide from South Walton Fire District · posted Nov 4, 8:00 AM CT
Water, waves, air and UV pulled Nov 4, 8:00 AM CT
Water, waves, air and UV pulled Nov 4, 8:00 AM CT
The short answer
Walton County beach rules come from Chapter 22 of the county code, and the ones visitors break most are about dogs, glass and leaving chairs on the sand overnight. Dogs need a county permit on the collar, a leash, and are only allowed 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., and permits go to Walton County property owners and permanent residents only (they expire each July 31 and need rabies proof). Glass and ceramic containers are banned on the sand. No overnight camping on any beach, access, dune or parking area. Bonfires need a South Walton Fire District permit, must be at least 50 feet from the vegetation line and 100 feet from a habitable structure, and 200 feet from a marked sea turtle nest. Personal items must come off the beach between one hour after sunset and one hour after sunrise unless permitted.
📋 Beach Rules at a glance
| Rule | Detail |
| Dogs | Permit on collar, leash, 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. only. Permits for Walton County property owners and permanent residents only; expire July 31 annually; rabies vaccination proof required. Service animals exempt. |
| Glass | Glass and ceramic bottles, containers and items are unlawful on the beach. |
| Tents, chairs, umbrellas | Allowed during the day. Must be off the beach between one hour after sunset and one hour after sunrise unless the county issued a permit. |
| Bonfires | SWFD permit required. Not within 50 feet of the vegetation line, not within 100 feet of a habitable structure, not within 30 feet of another permitted fire, not within 200 feet of a marked turtle nest. Seasonal start times: not before 5 p.m. March–October, not before 4 p.m. November–February. Remnants out by midnight (Mar–Oct) or 11 p.m. (Nov–Feb). |
| Camping | No overnight camping on any beach, beach access, dune system or parking area. |
| Charcoal grills | Unlawful on the beach. Propane grills allowed under 225 sq in cooking surface with a 1 lb cylinder. |
| Fires | Must be in SWFD-approved containers. Wood pits need a steel bottom 4 inches off the sand. Propane pits max 3 ft diameter, 20 lb bottle. |
| Littering | Unlawful, including cigarette butts and household garbage. |
| Soliciting | Only with a beach vendor permit, and not in public beach parking areas. |
| Where the ordinance applies | Beach and water bodies south of Highway 20 in Walton County. |
| Okaloosa County | Different rules. No glass, no dogs at the Boardwalk beach, no alcohol in county parks. |
🏖️ What Beach Rules is actually like
Most of this is common sense with a citation attached. Don't leave glass on the sand, don't leave your chairs out, don't camp overnight in the lot. But two rules catch visitors every single summer, and both are worth knowing before you drive out.
The first is dogs. People assume a beach that allows dogs allows their dog, anytime. It doesn't. You need a county permit, you need to be a Walton County property owner or permanent resident to get one, and the window is 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. only. So a tourist with a dog and no permit is technically violating the ordinance at noon on a Tuesday. The second is chairs. Leave your setup on the sand past sunset plus an hour and the county can remove it. A lot of people find that out the hard way when their $400 umbrella disappears overnight.
❓ Beach Rules questions
Are dogs allowed on Walton County beaches?
Yes, but only with a county dog permit on the collar, on a leash, and only from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Permits go to Walton County property owners and permanent residents.
Can visitors get a Walton County dog beach permit?
Generally no. The permit requires proof of Walton County property ownership or permanent residency, such as a deed, driver's license, tax receipt, lease agreement or voter registration. Service animals are exempt.
Can you bring glass bottles on the beach?
No. Walton County's ordinance bans glass and ceramic bottles, containers and items on the beach entirely.
Can you leave chairs and umbrellas on the beach overnight?
No. Personal property must be off the beach between one hour after sunset and one hour after sunrise unless you have a county permit.
Can you have a bonfire on the beach?
Yes, with a South Walton Fire District permit. Fires must be at least 50 feet from the vegetation line, 100 feet from a habitable structure, 30 feet from another permitted fire, and 200 feet from a marked sea turtle nest.
What time can you start a bonfire?
Not before 5 p.m. from March 1 through October 31, and not before 4 p.m. from November 1 through February. All remnants must be cleared by midnight or 11 p.m. depending on the season.
Can you camp overnight on the beach?
No. Overnight camping is prohibited on any beach, beach access, dune system or parking area in Walton County.
Are charcoal grills allowed on the beach?
No, charcoal grills are unlawful. Propane grills are allowed if they use a 1 lb cylinder and the cooking surface is under 225 square inches.
Do the rules differ in Destin?
Yes. Destin is Okaloosa County. Different ordinance, different dog rules, no glass there either, and no alcohol in Okaloosa Island parks.
Do the beach rules apply to the dunes?
Yes. The ordinance covers the beach, dune system, beach accesses and parking areas maintained by the county.
ℹ️ About this page
Facts last verified Nov 4, 2026. We checked this page against public sources and answered everything to the best of our knowledge, but access rules, fees, hours and businesses can change without notice, so confirm anything that matters for your trip. If you find something here that is wrong or out of date, let us know and we will look into it and correct the page.
Flag and surf data update daily.
🔻 Before you go
🚩 Today's beach flags
Current conditions and what they mean.
🌊 Surf and water
Waves, water temp, wind, forecast.
🚗 Beach parking
Free vs paid lots along the coast.
🐕 Dog rules
Walton County permit rules.
🍽️ Where to eat
Dining near Beach Rules.
🗓️ Things to do
Activities in and around Beach Rules.