Episode 6: What's Done is Done

In this episode, we examine the legislative and grassroots efforts that reshaped beach access in Florida, focusing on how HB 631 (effective July 1 2018) created a legal framework for local governments to take action on “customary use” of dry‑sand beaches—yet it especially targeted Walton County, where property owners and the county itself spent millions of dollars in litigation. Meanwhile, the subsequent law SB 1622 (signed June 24 2025) repealed key portions of HB 631 and opened the door back for local governments to adopt customary‑use ordinances.

We talk with grassroots activist John Dillard — founder of Support Open Florida Sanded Beaches — who outlines how he mobilized citizens, used digital platforms, and met with legislators to influence the process. His experience in Georgia gave him perspective for how change can happen across state legislatures, and his Florida campaign underscores the importance of participation beyond simply “liking” something online.

The episode also explores the ongoing conflict between public access, private beachfront rights, and the business of beach vending. As legal terms like “quiet title” and “dismissed with prejudice” become part of the vernacular, beach vendors such as Jake Williams describe how their contracts, business model and local return‑customer base have changed in the wake of these laws. For them, the beaches are not just sand and surf—they’re livelihood, community identity and economic ecosystem for 30A and the Florida Gulf Coast.

Finally, the episode ends with a call to civic engagement: going to county commission meetings, meeting elected officials, reading bills, and understanding how state laws translate to local sand and water. The fight over beaches in Walton County is more than a property law debate—it reflects who gets to access public coastline, who pays for it, and how laws drafted hundreds of miles away can affect one’s backyard.

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Key Takeaways

• HB 631 (2018) established the need for local governments to go to court to assert customary use, giving rise to over 1,000 lawsuits in Walton County and many property owners opting for settlement agreements.

• SB 1622 (2025) repealed the statutory provision for recreational customary use (Fla. Stat. § 163.035) and streamlined beach‐renourishment and public access processes for Gulf Coast counties. The Florida Senate+2Florida Governor's Office+2

• Grassroots mobilization matters: Individuals like John Dillard show how citizens can meet with legislators, build online platforms, and influence policy—not just complain on social media.

• The vending and short‐term rental industries are directly affected by beach access rules—they rely on access, visibility, and affordability for guests; contracting and enforcement changes pressure their business models.

• Legal terms matter: “Quiet title,” “dismissed with prejudice,” “customary use” all shape the practical outcome of access and ownership—even more than bill summaries.

• Local consequences of state legislation: Although HB 631 and SB 1622 are statewide, the impact is acutely local—Walton County’s economy, tourism, and community identity are deeply wrapped up in its 26 miles of beaches.

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References (MLA Style)

Flournoy, Alyson C., Thomas T. Ankersen, and Sasha Alvarenga. Recreational Rights to the Dry Sand Beach in Florida: Property, Custom and Controversy. University of Florida Levin College of Law, Jan. 2019. Web. https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/facultypub/831/.
Florida Senate. House Bill 631 (2018) – Possession of Real Property. Florida Senate, 2018. Web. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/00631.
Florida Senate. Senate Bill 1622 (2025) – Beaches. Florida Senate, 2025. Web. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1622.
“Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation to Protect Local Beach Access and Expedite Coastal Restoration.” Office of the Governor of Florida, 24 June 2025. Web. https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2025/governor-ron-desantis-signs-legislation-protect-local-beach-access-and-expedite.
Perry, Mitch. “Republican Wants to Repeal Law That Keeps the Public off Panhandle Beaches.” Florida Phoenix, 28 Feb. 2025. Web. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/02/28/republican-wants-to-repeal-law-that-keeps-the-public-off-panhandle-beach/.
“Beach Access and Customary Use: Breaking Down SB 1622.” Davis Property Blog, 3 July 2025. Web. https://www.davisprop.com/blog/beach-access-and-customary-use-breaking-down-sb-1622/.
“Lawsuit Filed to Protect Customary Use in Walton County, Florida.” Surfrider Foundation, 11 Dec. 2018. Web. https://www.surfrider.org/news/lawsuit-filed-to-protect-customary-use-in-walton-county-florida.
“What is Customary Use and What Impact Does It Have on 30A’s Beaches?” 30a.com, 5 Nov. 2018. Web. https://30a.com/30a-beaches-customary-use/.