Leave No Trace

ESCAMBIA COUNTY “LEAVE NO TRACE” ORDINANCE

Ord. No. 2015-29, § 2, 8-6-2015

 “Leave No Trace” on the beach

• Fill in any holes in the sand and knock down sand sculptures at day’s end to remove obstacles blocking sea turtles’ nesting activities.
• Remain at a distance from nesting sea turtles and hatchlings.  
• Properly dispose of trash and discarded fishing gear. Sea turtles can become entangled in old fishing nets and lines or ingest plastic bags and wrappers, mistaking them for jellyfish.
• Remove personal belongings from the beach at the end of each day. Items such as umbrellas, tents, beach toys, bags, chairs, etc. left unattended will be removed and disposed of. Through the Leave No Trace ordinance adopted in August 2015 by the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, it is illegal to leave personal property on any portion of the sandy gulf beach daily from sunset until sunrise.

Violations of this article shall be a civil infraction. The maximum civil penalty for a civil infraction shall not exceed $500.00. A law enforcement officer or a code enforcement officer may issue a citation pursuant to section 30-63 of the Escambia County Code of Ordinances. Each violation of any provision of this article shall constitute a separate offense.

Any person who willfully refuses to sign and accept a citation issued by a law enforcement officer or a code enforcement officer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in F.S. § 775.082 or 775.083. A written warning to this effect shall be provided at the time any citation is issued hereunder.