Beach Fire Permit
Enjoy a crackling fire under the stars! Beach fire season in Atlantic Beach is November 1 - February 28.
How to get a permit!
Applications will be accepted IN-PERSON ONLY at Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd., Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. - except on Holidays. Permits must be purchased at least 4 days in advance.
Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28.
Cost: Permits are $75 plus tax with a $150 refundable deposit.
Age requirement: Beach fire permit holders must be at least 21 years old. ID required.
Pre-register: To expedite the permitting process, please create an account at www.coab.us/recpermits in advance of arriving at the office to apply for a permit.
Beach Fire Days, Times & Prohibited Locations
Fires are only allowed on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and specific holidays (Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Eve/Day, Christmas Eve/Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and President's Day). No fires will be permitted on New Years Eve due to the City’s Centennial event. Beach fires are prohibited near the Atlantic, Ahern, 7th, 15th, and 19th Street beach accesses.
- One beach fire per permit, one permit per person per day.
- Permit holder: Must be onsite during the length of the permitted beach fire.
- Fire location: Fires can only be built on the beach where permitted, not within 20 feet of the dunes. Keep off the dunes! Disturbing sea oats is a violation punishable by a fine.
- Fire size: Fires must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
- Fire hours: Fires can be lit no earlier than 6 p.m. and must be completely extinguished by 10 p.m.
- Parking: Beach fire permits do not extend parking privileges beyond posted times.
Responsible Beach Fire Management (All of these requirements must be met for the deposit to be refunded)
- Beach fire sign: A City-issued fire permit sign must be displayed at the fire location and returned to Adele Grage Cultural Center the next business day. Failure to return the sign will result in deposit forfeiture. Signs must picked up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the Friday before your permitted beach fire.
- Fire debris: Completely remove ashes, debris, and coals from the beach. Fill in fire pits with sand and level the area.
- Burning materials: Only use natural, untreated wood pieces less than 3 feet long, free of nails, screws, or other metals. Burning Christmas trees, pallets, construction materials, and treated wood is strictly prohibited.
- Trash disposal: Soak remnants of burnt wood and ashes before disposal. Trash and cooled fire debris must be disposed of in designated bins or taken with you.
- Deposits are refunded by mail within 30 days of returning the permit sign and submitting a photo (taken the night of the fire) of the restored fire area and confirmation by city staff (email photo to recreation@coab.us.
- Deposit forfeiture: Deposits will not be refunded if all requirements in the “Beach Fire Restrictions” and “Responsible Fire Management” sections are not met.
Per city code, in addition to forfeiting the return of a deposit, those who violate the beach fire regulations shall: be subject to receiving a citation and civil penalty in the amount of $500 for each violation; immediately remedy the violation; and immediately have their beach fire permit revoked. Also, any person who refuses to comply with the regulations after being directed to do so by a law enforcement officer commits a misdemeanor punishable as provided by FSS 775.082 or 775.083.
About Our Beach Fire Regulations
- Permit system: This system helps manage fire numbers, ensure safety, and fund beach maintenance and beach fire enforcement.
- Environmental protection: Regulations ensure ashes, debris, and fire pits are removed, protecting the beach ecosystem.
- Age restrictions: These restrictions ensure responsible adult supervision.
- Time limits: Fire time limits balance the needs of beachgoers and residents.
Need Assistance?
Contact the Recreation office via email at recreation@coab.us or call 904-247-5828.