Est. 2006
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Gulf Shores Beach Rules
Gulf Shores Beach Rules & Regulations
Beach Information from the City of Gulf Shores
The City of Gulf Shores strives to provide a safe, clean, family friendly environment for everyone visiting our public beaches. We ask that you take the time to familiarize yourself with the following rules, regulations, and helpful reminders.
- Tents and shelters larger than 7 feet by 7 feet and taller than 4 feet are not allowed on public beaches, unless the tents/structures are placed in the designated area at Gulf Place. Individual property owners may allow tents and shelters on private property north of the City of Gulf Shores pole markers provided.
- Any structures or equipment left on the public beach after 8 p.m. will be removed and disposed of by beach patrol.
- PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED on any of the sand beaches in Gulf Shores. Pets are welcome at Gulf Place along the boardwalk and Town Green, but they may not travel on the sand beaches.
- Please keep off the dunes. Staying off the dunes will help us to preserve our dune system and the habitat it provides. Use beach walkover and boardwalks where provided.
- Observe and obey the Beach Warning Flag System.
- We encourage you to swim near lifeguard protected waters.
- Call 251-968-TIDE (8433) for current surf conditions.
Prohibited Items
The following items are strictly prohibited:
- PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED on any of the sand beaches in Gulf Shores. Pets are welcome at Gulf Place, but they may not travel on the sand beaches.
- No glass or breakable containers
- No alcoholic beverages
- No tents / canopies larger than 7'x7'x4' unless they are placed in a designated tent area
- No fishing at Gulf Place
- No tobacco and e-cigarettes
- No motorized vehicles
- No digging holes deeper than 12 inches (Please remember to fill holes in for the safety of our residents and visitors)
- No fires, grills or cooking devices
- No fireworks, sky lanterns, sparklers
- No drone operation
- No solicitation
Beach Accessibility
The City of Gulf Shores considers accessibility a high priority, and it is our desire to make our beach front more accessible. We are making great strides to reaching our goal of complete accessibility with the addition of the new 20 foot wide concrete promenade combined with the Access Mats on the beach. The Access Mats are located at the West End of the Gulf Place Public Beach parking area at West 2nd Street and at the East End of Gulf Place Public Beach near the Pink Pony. The Access Mats are placed to stop short of the water due to the incline/slope that leads to the lower region of the beach. The incline is too steep for wheelchair users to easily return to the boardwalk. The City of Gulf Shores installed the first Access Mat on January 24, 2018 and purchased the second mat on March 15, 2018. The City currently has one 5 ft. x 50 ft. mat and four 5 ft. x 100 ft. mats.
In addition to the two Access Mats, the Beach Safety Office, located at Gulf Place Public Beach, has beach wheelchairs for the public to use on a first-come-first-served basis. The Beach Safety officers and lifeguards are happy to assist anyone needing help accessing the beachfront. If you need assistance, please contact Beach Safety Officer Lt. Melvin Shepard at 251-978-0607.
Beach Parking and Pay Stations
The City of Gulf Shores operates a pay-by-space parking system in the following public beach parking locations:
- Gulf Place (main public beach area)
- West Beach
- West 6th Street
- Little Lagoon Pass
Pay stations are in place from March 1st through November 30th each year. These pay stations accept cash and credit cards, however, do not issue change. Once a payment has been processed, a receipt will be printed showing the payment date. Patrons should display this receipt on the dashboard of their vehicle so parking attendants can easily identify relevant information. While individual parking spaces are not reserved, patrons may come and go with access to available spaces being granted for the valid date on the receipt.
Parking Fee
The parking fee at all locations is $5 for up to 4 hours or $10 per day. Gulf Shores residents and property owners who have a valid Hurricane Re-Entry Decal may park at all paid public parking locations without payment. Hurricane Re-Entry Decals should be clearly displayed on the drivers side of the front windshield of the vehicle at the time of parking.
Other Public Parking
There are many other public beach parking locations that do not require a fee. These locations operate on a first-come, first-served basis. View public beach access points and parking information.
Beach Safety
The City of Gulf Shores provides seasonal lifeguard services between March and September, and encourages the public to swim at the protected public swimming areas (Gulf Place, West 6th Street, and Lagoon Pass) when lifeguards are present. One full-time beach safety supervisor and seasonal lifeguards make up the City of Gulf Shores Beach Patrol.
Beach Warning Flags
The Beach Warning Flag System is in place for your safety. Please observe and obey the flag system and all lifeguards. The absence of beach warning flags does not constitute safe swimming conditions. For current surf conditions call 251-968-TIDE (8433). Beach Warning flags are present at the following locations.
Leave Only Footprints Program
