[hrpufnstuf]

OK, I looked up like Bob said. Beach restrictions are handled by each municipality. Only one municipality specifically restricts kitesurfing inside the buoys which is designated a "swim zone"; Treasure Island. The rest have other restrictions which at best are left to interpretation by law enforcement, courts and lawyers.

Enjoy

HR

Bellaireshores

ARTICLE II. BEACH AREAS

DIVISION 3. WATER SAFETY ZONE*

__________

*State law references: Establishment of restricted areas, F.S. § 327.46.


Sec. 30-81. Purpose.

The purpose of this division is to establish a safety zone and regulate the use of watercraft within the safety zone for the protection of persons, property, watercraft and for the safe use of the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

(Ord. No. 00-01, § 1, 4-20-2000)


Sec. 30-82. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Idle speed/no wake means that a watercraft cannot proceed at a speed greater than that speed which is necessary to maintain the ability to navigate.

Watercraft means a boat, ship, barge, air boats, jet-ski or other device capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(Ord. No. 00-01, § 2, 4-20-2000)


IRB

Sec. 74-63. No-anchoring zone.

(a) Established; buoys; speed; transit. There is hereby established a no-anchoring zone, which is defined as that portion of the Gulf of Mexico lying between the northerly and southerly city limits of the city and easterly from the buoy line. The line shall be marked by regulatory buoys placed in accordance with permits and spaced, nominally, at 300-foot intervals along its length. As the buoys will move about their anchor location with the tides or currents, enforcement of this section shall extend to the area defined by the buoys at the water's surface at the time of infraction. Any boat or watercraft operating within the no-anchoring zone shall proceed cautiously at a speed not in excess of idle speed. The boat or watercraft shall transit the no-anchoring zone in the shortest and most direct route possible taking into consideration safe navigation and the safety and enjoyment of other users of the area.

Indian Shores


Sec. 106-78. Water safety zone.

(a) Established; buoys; speed; transit. There is hereby established a water safety zone which is defined as that part of the Gulf of Mexico lying between the northerly and southerly limits of the town and easterly of the following described line: …

The line shall be marked by regulatory buoys placed in accordance with permits and spaced, nominally, at 300-foot intervals along its length, and approximately 200 feet from the shoreline. As the buoys will move about their anchor location with the tides and currents, enforcement of this section shall extend to the area defined by the buoys at the water's surface at the time of infraction. Any boat or watercraft, including motorized watercraft, sail boats, personal watercraft, catamarans or other vessels as defined by Florida Statute, transiting the "water safety zone" shall proceed cautiously at a speed not in excess of idle speed and shall not create any wake whatsoever. In addition, the boat or watercraft shall transit the "water safety zone" in the shortest and most direct route possible taking into consideration safe navigation and the safety and enjoyment of other users of the area.

Redington Beach


Sec. 5-29. Safety zone in Gulf of Mexico.

(a) Designation of safety zone. There is hereby a designated zone of restricted motorized watercraft operation within the described boundaries of the town, and extending 100 yards into the Gulf of Mexico, and running parallel to the town's shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico.

(b) Operation of watercraft. The operation of any watercraft within the safety zone which threatens the safety of swimmers shall be in violation of this section, provided this restriction shall not apply to any watercraft entering the zone because of an emergency.

(c) Moorings to markers or buoys prohibited. The mooring of any watercraft to markers or buoys placed by the town or other authorized body shall be prohibited.

(d) Penalty for violation. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in the general penalty provisions of this Code of Ordinances.


Madeira Beach

Sec. 78-4. Restricted swimming areas established.

Within the designated restricted areas, identified with buoys as prescribed in F.S. § 327.40, no vessels of any kind with the exception of surfboards, paddle boats, and sail boats shall be allowed to operate within the swim area, however, such vessels shall be allowed to traverse the swim area to reach water outside the restricted area.


Treasure Island

Sec. 58-33. Surfboards.

(a) Reckless use. It is unlawful to operate, manipulate or otherwise use a surfboard or similar device in a reckless manner. A person is guilty of reckless operation of a surfboard who operates same in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property without due regard, caution and circumspection, or in a manner as to endanger or likely to endanger, or injure any person.

(b) Colliding or striking against persons. No person shall operate, manipulate or otherwise use a surfboard or other similar device in such manner as to cause same to collide or strike against any person.


Sec. 58-92. Restricted boating areas.

(a) Definitions.

(1) Slow speed-minimum wake indicates a restricted or controlled zone which has been established to protect the interest of the public. Slow speed-minimum wake means that a vessel must not proceed at a speed greater than that speed which is reasonable and prudent to avoid an excessive wake or condition under the existing circumstances. For the purpose of this section, slow speed-minimum wake and slow down-minimum wake shall mean the same. …

(2) Idle speed-no wake indicates a restricted or controlled zone that has been established to protect the interests of the public. Idle speed-no wake means that a vessel cannot proceed at a speed greater than that speed which is necessary to maintain steerageway.

(b) Restricted boating areas. There shall be created within the city various restricted boating areas in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, which shall be marked by the city manager with regulatory buoy markers in compliance with the state uniform waterway marking system, which shall restrict all boating activities from these designated swimming areas pursuant to F.S. ch. 327 and the rules of the department of environmental protection, division of law enforcement, F.A.C. ch. 16N-23.

(c) Zones.

(1) Swim zones. The following areas shall be designated as swim zones; and all boating activity shall be restricted within an area that is located between the water line and a buoy line, which buoy line shall be located by the city manager at a point no greater than 300 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico from the mean high water line in the following locations:

a. From the north side of 77th Avenue northward to the south end of Weckesser Park, a distance of approximately 4,185 feet.

b. From the south side of Weckesser Park to north side of parking lot 5 (at 100th Avenue), a distance of approximately 2,445 feet. The width of the swim zone adjacent to 3rd Avenue South and Sawyer & Harrell's 2nd Addition, Block 8, Lots 13,14, and 15 and east eight feet of vacated alley on west and Lots 10, 11, 12 and vacated alley (a total distance of 200 feet), shall be set by the city manager at no greater than 125 feet until March 31, 2009 unless swimmer safety considerations dictate otherwise. Thereafter, the width of said swim zone may be adjusted by the city manager to up to 300 feet as may be needed to ensure the safety of swimmers.

c. From the south end of the county park (104th Avenue) to the north end of 121st Avenue, a distance of approximately 5,200 feet.

Within the restricted boating areas, no boating activity shall be allowed except as specifically authorized by the city manager for various city-authorized or city-sponsored events. This restriction applies to all boats that use a motor as their primary or secondary means of locomotion, kite surfing, sail-powered vessels 20 feet or greater in length and other similar vessels and devices. This restriction shall not apply to nonmotorized vessels including surfboards, sailboards and skimboards, canoes and kayaks. Sail-powered vessels under 20 feet in length may ingress and egress the beach perpendicular to the shoreline.


St Pete Beach

Sec. 94-36. Zones of restricted operation.

(a) There are designated zones of restricted watercraft operation as shown on the map which is attached to Ordinance Number 86-21 designated as exhibit A, which map is adopted by reference as if set out at length in this section and is on file in the city clerk's office.

(b) Zone 1, as designated on such map, is a protected area and reserved for swimmers only. No watercraft shall enter or operate within zone 1, provided this restriction shall not apply to any watercraft entering zone 1 because of an emergency. The city commission may grant a special occasion permit granting an exception to this subsection upon written request. The city commission shall determine whether the requested exception constitutes a special occasion. In granting this special occasion permit, the city commission shall be authorized to impose on the permit whatever conditions it deems are appropriate and reasonable and may adopt those rules and regulations it deems appropriate to protect the safety, health and welfare of the public.

(c) Zone 2 is intended primarily for swimming. Motorized and nonmotorized watercraft are prohibited from operating parallel to the beach within this zone. The city shall maintain buoys to mark the outer limits of this zone.