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City of Destin

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1. Drones: Rules and Safety Tips

The City of Destin follows all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and guidelines. 

When it comes to flying a drone you must be aware of the FAA rules and regulations. As technology constantly changes please be sure to stay up-to-date on drone operations

For more information please visit the following websites:

https://www.faa.gov/

https://www.faa.gov/uas/ 

 FAA Fact Sheet - Small Unmanned Aircraft Regulations (Part 107)

http://knowbeforeyoufly.org

http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/air-space-map/

Registration: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone/

Reporting: https://hotline.faa.gov/

Alabama Northwest Florida Flight Standards District Office

1500 Urban Center Drive, Suite 250

Birmingham, Alabama 35242

AFG-600 BHM FSDO-09

205-876-1304

205-876-1358 Fax

www.faasafety.gov

Additional Info: https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/where_can_i_fly/

ArcGis Map from FAA: https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad

2. FAA Complaint and Inquiry Information

For aircraft operations that you believe to be dangerous, low flying (acrobatic) or erratic in nature, please visit https://www.faa.gov/noise/inquiries/#other to review the FAA’s complaint and inquiry policy.

Below are directions from the Alabama/NWF FAA – Flight Standards District Office. The directions provide you with exactly what the FAA needs to investigate your concern.

3. How do I report airport noise/aircraft noise?

The following link provides information about who to contact if you’re impacted  by aircraft noise.

 https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/noise_emissions/airport_aircraft_noise_issues/noise/#ao 

FLYDTS

4. Is the Mid-Bay toll bridge part of the city?

NO. The Mid-Bay toll bridge and its connector bypass are outside the city limits of Destin and are owned and operated by the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority. The City of Destin is not involved in decisions related to the bridge or bypass and does not receive revenue from tolls. Contact the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority

5. Where is public parking and is there a fee?

There are several city-owned parking lots available to the public. Most public parking options in the city are pay-to-park. For more information, visit the city's Parking Page. 

6. Are fires allowed on the beach?

Destin is in Okaloosa County and according to County Ordinance 79-41 fires are illegal on the beach between the water’s edge and mean high water mark or vegetation line, whichever is further.

7. Can I take my dog on the beach?

Dogs are NOT ALLOWED on the beaches in Destin/Okaloosa County. We encourage you to visit the City of Destin's Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park located at 4100 Indian Bayou Trail.

Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park

8. Are fireworks allowed on the beach?

Fireworks are NOT ALLOWED on the beaches in Destin.

9. Where can I get a marriage license?

For marriage licenses, call the Okaloosa County Courthouse at (850) 651-7200 or visit the Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts webpage.

10. Does the city require a permit for a beach wedding?

Beach wedding permits are only available for The Shore at Crystal Beach Park and June White Decker Beach Park - maximum of 25 people. Beach access points are not available for permits. For more information about City of Destin event permits, please call the City of Destin Parks & Recreation Department at (850) 837-4242.  

Learn more about beach weddings and park permits

11. Can I camp overnight on the beach?

Overnight camping is NOT ALLOWED on the beaches in Destin.

12. Am I allowed to take a pop up tent on the beach?

The City of Destin does not prohibit the placement of a pop up canopy on beaches within the city limits. Please note that leaving canopies on the beaches overnight may interfere with the beach cleaning services or may impede possible turtle nesting activities.

13. Does Destin have a public tennis court?

There are two public tennis courts located at Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. They are open daily from 9 a.m. until dusk. For more information, call the Destin Parks & Recreation Department at (850) 650-1241 or (850) 654-5184. Buck Destin Park

14. How do I report an aggressive animal?

The City of Destin contracts with PAWS for animal control. To report an aggressive animal, call (850) 244-0196 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nights and weekends, call (850) 685-6003.

More contact information for PAWS

15. How do I recycle in Destin?

The City of Destin contracts with Waste Management, Inc., for all solid waste services within the city limits, including recycling. Single-family, residential recycling is available curbside. Visit our solid waste page for details.

16. Where can I launch my boat?

The Joe’s Bayou public boat launch is located at 800 Beach Drive in Destin and is open daily, from dawn to dusk. There is a $20 daily launch fee. Joe's Bayou Boat Launch

17. Who do I contact regarding mosquito problems?

For mosquito-related issues, please contact Okaloosa County Mosquito Control District at (850) 651-7394 or (850) 689-5774. Okaloosa County Mosquito Control District

18. What are the regulations for political signs in the city?

Political signs follow the same rules and regulations for all signs set forth in the City's Land Development Code, Article 16.

A. Signs are prohibited from being placed in the city's rights-of-way or medians.
B. Signs must be located on private property.
C. Placement of signs on utility poles, trees or fences is prohibited.
D. Signs must not obstruct the visibility of pedestrians, cyclists or motorists traveling or entering public streets.
E. Signs must not block the visibility triangle of intersections.
* Signs in violation of these provisions can be collected by the Code Enforcement Division and may be disposed of.
Destin Land Development Code, Article 16

19. How do I report a problem with a street light?

A quick and easy way for residents to report a street light outage is by clicking the Gulf Power link below. 

https://gulfpower.streetlightoutages.com/public/default.html

20. What is the schedule for running the harbor pump?

The harbor pump, located on the south side of Destin Harbor off of Gulf Shore Dr., runs seven days a week from approximately 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. during the spring, summer and fall. The pump is run on an as-needed basis during the winter because water quality is naturally better during the cooler months.

21. Can I leave items on the beach overnight?

We encourage Leave No Trace. Items left on the beach overnight will be removed by City staff and kept for approximately one week at the City of Destin’s Public Services Maintenance Yard. Appointments can be made to retrieve items by calling (850) 837-4242.

22. Are there beach warning flags?

Yes. Please observe the Beach Flag Warning System and do not go into the water on a double red flag. If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until the current weakens, then swim in. The Beach Safety Division focuses daily on making contact with the public on the beach to educate as many people as possible on the flag warning system, rip currents, ordinances, and general beach safety. For more information please visit http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/ps/beach-safety

23. Can I set up my belongings within 20 feet of the water's edge?

No one should block or impede in any manner the right of pedestrian access within 20 feet of the water’s edge.  

24. What beach park should I visit?

June White Decker Beach Park (approximately .29 acres, over 70 parking spaces, showers and restrooms)  

 The closest beach trails are Silver Shells and Calhoun 

Norreigo Point Beach Park (approximately 9.27 acres, 27 parking spaces, shower and overlooks the east pass, restrooms coming soon) 

 The closest beach trails are Norriego Point and O’Steen 

Shore at Crystal Beach Park (approximately 65 feet, 9 parking spaces, restrooms, showers and covered picnic area) 

 The closest beach trails are Shirah and Crystal Beach   

 Henderson Beach is a state park that boasts over a mile of beach that charges a daily admission fee. The park has over 300 parking spaces, beach wheelchairs, covered picnic pavilions, restroom facilities, grills, accessible campsites and parking. Call 850.837.7550 for more information. 

James Lee Park is a county beach park with over a quarter of a mile of beach near the Walton/Okaloosa County line. This park has 3 pavilions, 41 picnic tables, 9 dune walkovers, a playground, restrooms with changing rooms, showers and over 100 parking spaces. Call 850.689.5772 for more information. 

25. Can I drive my vehicle on the beach?

Per city ordinance, vehicles are not allowed on the beach. 

26. Can I have glass on the beach?

Per city ordinance, glass is not allowed on the beach. 

27. What is Leave No Trace?

In 2017, the City of Destin started our Leave No Trace initiative to promote environmental awareness and pride in our city. We love Destin and we all play a vital role and must be conscious of our actions and how they can impact our environment and city.  

Through a partnership between the City of Destin, Okaloosa County and the Okaloosa Tourist Development Department, our beaches and beach trash cans are cleaned and emptied on a regular basis. In 2019, more than 1.3 million pounds of trash was collected from Destin and Okaloosa Island beaches. In 2020, about 900,000 pounds of trash was collected off the same beaches in a year of COVID-19 related travel impacts. It is our hope that residents and visitors will take individual pride and initiative to ensure that our emerald waters and sugar white beaches remains beautiful.

Our Leave no Trace initiative goes beyond our beaches and waterways. We want our residents, businesses, and visitors to take pride in our roadways, front yards, our parks as well as our entire city.

The Destin City Council, Mayor, and staff hope residents, local businesses and visitors will join the effort and support the Leave No Trace initiative, and here is how you can participate! Businesses can promote the initiative by displaying the Leave No Trace logo on their digital billboards or simply post “Leave No Trace” on their marquee sign. We kindly ask all residents and visitors to remove all the items that they bring with them. We ask they take pride in Destin and keep our beautiful city clean. It is that simple.

The city works with many partners to collaborate on various clean-ups throughout the year and operates an Adopt-A-Street Program which allows local families, businesses, and community groups to perform a valuable community service by adopting sections of a street to keep clear of litter and debris. 

Okaloosa County supports and has expanded the Leave No Trace initiative. For more information on their efforts please visit http://myokaloosa.com/bcc/leavenotrace.

28. When is Sea Turtle Nesting Season?

Our beaches are a nesting ground for sea turtles from May through October. Here is how to help:

Prevent all lights from illuminating the beach.

Look but don't touch. Disturbing is a federal and state violation. 

Please fill holes in the sand.

Remove any litter.

29. Are Low Speed Vehicles (LSV's) and Golf Carts Allowed to be Driven within the City Limits of Destin?

30. How Do I Report Homestead Exemption Abuse?

NON-ENTITLEMENT TO HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION HURTS ALL OF US

Pursuant to Florida Statutes 193.155 (9) and 196.161(1) (b), when a property owner receives but is no longer entitled to a homestead exemption or agricultural classification, it is deemed to be non-compliant, an abuse of the law, and which affects all taxpayers.

To report homestead exemption abuse please visit: https://okaloosapa.com/report-exemption-abuse/

Examples of homestead fraud:

The owner(s) claim homestead exemption, but their permanent residence is elsewhere.

The owner(s) claim homestead exemption, but they rent the property to others for any portion of the year. (The exception is active military personnel away on orders can rent their homestead until returning).

The individual or family unit claim homestead exemption on more than one property (including a homestead exemption filed in another state).

If you know of a property in Okaloosa County currently receiving a tax reduction from a homestead exemption or agricultural classification which you believe should not be receiving, you are urged to report the activity by calling our Exemption Abuse Hotline or use the below form. If calling the hotline, our fraud investigator will speak with you, and you may remain completely anonymous if you desire.

When you call our Hotline, please provide as much of the following information:

For Homestead Exemption Abuse:

The address of the property in question.

Whether the property is vacant, a rental, or a vacation home.

The length of time since the owner has lived at the property.

The address where you believe the owner may be living now (if known).

Any other information relative to the fraudulent exemption.

For Agricultural Classification Abuse:

The address or location of the property.

The nature of the abuse.

Any other available information such as owner name or parcel ID number. (This can be found by conducting a property search from our homepage)

The address where you believe the owner may be living now (if known).

Thank you for your assistance in reporting suspected fraud. Your report will be promptly investigated and action taken if warranted.

Sincerely,

Mack Busbee, CFA

Okaloosa County Property Appraiser