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Destin City Council is exploring an ordinance that could legalize beach bonfires on city-owned property. The proposed permit program is modeled after Walton County’s and aims to raise revenue without taxing residents. Key hurdles include determining which beachfront areas are public and ironing out permit enforcement.
The City of Destin is currently considering an ordinance that could generate a significant amount of money without raising taxes on its residents.
At its June 2 meeting, the Destin City Council voted 6-0 to begin drafting an ordinance that would allow members of the public to purchase a permit from the City to hold bonfires on city-owned beachfront property.
Councilman Kevin Schmidt first proposed the idea on May 5, suggesting Destin could model its program after the one used in neighboring Walton County, where bonfires have become both popular and lucrative.
“We talk all the time about how we need to make more money in the city without taxing the citizens and charging them fees,” Schmidt said. “This was just a unique idea.”
Walton County currently issues bonfire permits through the South Walton Fire District. Each permit costs $105, with $50 going to the Fire District, $50 to the county, and $5 covering processing fees.
According to the City of Destin, both the Fire District and Walton County generated $468,150 each in the past fiscal year — totaling $936,300 in revenue.
Destin officials see the potential for a similar program to generate revenue without raising taxes.
However, before the City can finalize the ordinance, the council must determine how much of Destin’s beach is public. During that May 5 meeting, Councilman Jim Bagby pointed out that most beachfront property is privately owned, with the state and county being the largest landholders.
Out of nearly 12,200 feet of beach in Destin, the City only owns 4,365 feet. Areas where bonfires would remain prohibited would include James Lee Park, Henderson Beach Park, and state land in West Destin (Jetties) if the ordinance is adopted later.
Another point of contention before the council moved forward with the vote was regulation.
In Walton County, beach vendors and members of the public must first obtain a permit through the South Walton Fire District. According to Destin City Manager Larry Jones, after conversations with the Destin Fire District, he believes the most likely scenario is that the Destin Fire Control District, a special district independent of the Destin City Council, would issue permits.
Destin’s Code Enforcement department would further regulate vendors or private parties to ensure that they follow the proposed ordinance.
Currently, bonfires are illegal in Okaloosa County under Ordinance 79-41, which has been in place since 1979. The law prohibits fires on the beach between the water’s edge and the mean high water line of vegetation.
The council has directed city staff to draft a formal ordinance, which will be presented at a public hearing during a future meeting.
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