According to the Department of State, Florida has over 1,300 miles of coastline and over 650 miles of sand beaches. Some of that beachfront is privately owned, about 60%, while the rest is State, County, or city-controlled. For decades, there have been ongoing questions over who can use certain stretches of beach along Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Determining usage rights hinges on factors like the Mean High Water Line (MHWL) and property deeds. While wet sand is typically public, dry sand may ...