Florida beach wedding permits: rules for 7 cities
Only places whose official pages we could read and cite. Checked November 2026.
The short answer
Florida has no single beach wedding permit. Each city or county sets its own rules, and most of them want an application, a headcount and a fee once you add chairs, an arch or more than a handful of guests. Common to almost every page we read: no alcohol or glass on the sand, no balloons or confetti, everything removed right after, and no lights after dark during sea turtle season.
Clearwater
Source: City of Clearwater Special Events
- A beach ceremony permit is needed if you have more than 25 people, an arch, chairs or a 10 x 10 tent, amplified sound, or the event earns income from attendees.
- Apply at least two weeks ahead and no more than 365 days out. You must give an exact headcount, not a range.
- Permits run 4 hours in 30-minute blocks, covering setup, ceremony and breakdown, and must end by sunset.
- One permit per day per venue. No beach activity is permitted north of Avalon Street, and you cannot rope off the beach.
- Banned: alcohol, glass, balloons, paper lanterns, drones, confetti or rice, and open flames outside fire pits or grills.
- No fees are due at application; fees are paid within one week of staff verification. Contact (727) 562-4700.
St. Pete Beach
Source: City of St. Pete Beach Parks and Recreation
- Approved areas: Pass-a-Grille Beach from the 22nd Ave to the 1st Ave beach access, and Upham Beach from 71st Ave to 67th Ave. Name your exact beach access point.
- Fees: $100 for residents, $250 for non-residents. Ceremonies under 20 people with no commercial support (no chairs or equipment): $50 residents, $75 non-residents.
- Each permit covers no more than 5 hours, including deliveries, setup and cleanup.
- Pay by card over the phone at 727-363-9219 or by check mailed to City Hall, 155 Corey Ave.
Key West
Source: City of Key West
- Smathers Beach is the listed wedding location.
- Fees before tax: $150 for 1 to 25 people, $250 for 26 to 50, $350 for 51 to 100. Key West residents with proof of residency pay nothing (not planners). 101 or more people need a Special Event Application.
- Apply at least 14 business days ahead. Dates may be unavailable during major events or tropical weather watches or warnings.
- March through October (turtle season): no tiki torches, string lights or lamps on the beach after sunset, and the sand must be left flat.
- Banned: alcohol, glass, open flames, fireworks, pets, balloons, rice, birdseed, confetti and artificial petals. Real, undyed petals only.
- Refunds: 100% at 91 or more days out, 50% at 31 to 90 days, none at 30 days or less.
Miami Beach
Source: City of Miami Beach Tourism and Culture
- A Ceremony and Team Building Permit covers simple wedding ceremonies of up to 150 people (guests, wedding party and performers) for up to 4 hours.
- Apply no less than 14 days ahead, with a Certificate of Insurance naming the City of Miami Beach.
- Allowed: up to 150 chairs, 5 tables and three 10 x 10 pop-up tents. Not allowed: catering, glassware, larger tents, platforms, risers or generators.
- Leave a 25-foot emergency lane on the hard-packed sand, no driving on the beach, and DEP marine turtle guidelines apply April 1 to October 31.
Martin County (Stuart, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound)
Source: Martin County Parks and Recreation
- Permits are available at Bathtub, Bob Graham, Chastain, Glasscock, House of Refuge, Santa Lucea and other beaches, plus unguarded areas of Jensen, Stuart and Hobe Sound beaches.
- Up to 5 hours between sunup and sundown. No permits after sundown from March 1 to October 31.
- Full payment is due within 48 hours of reserving. Cancel at least 30 days out, with a $25 processing fee.
- Every vendor (photographers, planners, rentals, beach setup) must be approved in advance; new vendors should allow at least four weeks.
- No balloons, glass or personal grills.
Pompano Beach
Source: City of Pompano Beach Parks and Recreation
- Fees: a $25 non-refundable application fee plus a $130 rental fee.
- Locations include the Pompano Beach Pier and Hillsboro Lighthouse.
- Apply online or at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center. Questions: 954-786-4111.
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Naples
Source: City of Naples Community Services
- A simple ceremony for fewer than six people needs no reservation or fee, as long as you use legal beach access and parking.
- Six or more people on a beach end or the beach itself need a reservation and fee. Call Community Services at 239-213-7120.
- No music or amplified sound without an approved permit. The Eighth Avenue South beach end is the city's best-known wedding spot.
Before you apply
- Get your Florida marriage license first and check it is valid on your date (60 days from issue).
- Ask your photographer, planner and rental company if they have worked that beach and hold any vendor approval it needs.
- Book a covered backup nearby. Florida summer storms and lightning are covered in our weather and hurricane season guide.
- Check the Top Rated 2026 Florida wedding vendors for well-reviewed local pros.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a permit to get married on a Florida beach?
- It depends on the city. Clearwater requires one for more than 25 people or any arch, chairs, tent or amplified sound. Naples lets fewer than six people marry without a reservation. Key West, St. Pete Beach, Miami Beach, Pompano Beach and Martin County all run a permit or reservation for beach ceremonies.
- How much does a Florida beach wedding permit cost?
- Of the cities above that post fees: St. Pete Beach charges $100 for residents and $250 for non-residents ($50 or $75 for small ceremonies with no equipment), Key West charges $150 to $350 by guest count, and Pompano Beach charges a $25 application fee plus $130 rental.
- How far ahead do we need to apply?
- Clearwater requires at least two weeks, Miami Beach at least 14 days, and Key West at least 14 business days. Martin County asks new vendors to allow at least four weeks for approval.
- Can we have alcohol at a beach ceremony?
- Not in Clearwater or Key West, which both ban alcohol and glass. Miami Beach's ceremony permit does not allow catering or glassware. Plan the toast for the reception venue.
- Can we have an evening beach wedding with lights?
- Sea turtle season limits it. Martin County issues no permits after sundown from March 1 to October 31, Key West bans lights on the beach after sunset from March through October, and FWC asks that decorative lights stay off until October 31.
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Sources
Every fact above comes from one of these official pages, last checked November 2, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the office before you pay or book.
- City of Clearwater Special Events: beach wedding page
- City of St. Pete Beach Parks and Recreation: beach wedding page
- City of Key West: beach wedding page
- City of Miami Beach Tourism and Culture: beach wedding page
- Martin County Parks and Recreation: beach wedding page
- City of Pompano Beach Parks and Recreation: beach wedding page
- City of Naples Community Services: beach wedding page
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Sea Turtles and Lights