Federal judge rules against local beachfront homeowners
August 14, 2024 - A federal judge issued a 53-page ruling Monday that protects “customary use” of dry sand areas on Redington Beach after homeowners argued that a local ordinance established in June 2018 violated their property rights. While Florida’s Constitution ensures public access to beaches “below mean high water lines,” property owners have sought to prohibit walking, sunbathing and building sandcastles on dry sand closer to their homes. Legislation enacted in July 2018 requires local governments to receive judicial approval for customary use ordinances.