Town of Fort Myers Beach
P
ERSONAL WATERCRAFT VENDOR
LICENSE APPLICATION
LDC Sec. 27-49 (Ordinance 14-07)
Town of Fort Myers Beach
2525 Estero Boulevard Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931
Telephone: 239-765-0202 Fax 239-765-0909
Permits@FortMyersBeachFL.gov
License #BCH
Zone
LICENSE CONDITIONS, RULES AND REGULATIONS
Sec. 27-49 Regulations and locations for personal watercraft rentals.
1) The operations office shall be located at a land-based site; and,
a) The land-based site shall have direct access to the beach. Direct access shall not include public rights-of-way,
county-owned or town-owned beach accesses, or any residentially zoned land that must be traversed to gain
beach access. That direct access will be used for all necessary business-related beach access that is customary in
the course and operation of the personal watercraft business at the particular licensed land-based site; and,
b) All business transactions such as the exchange of consideration or remuneration for the rental, leasing,
bailment, or any other type of transaction between the commercial rental operator and customer shall occur on
the land-based site for which the business tax receipt is issued; and,
c) The personal watercraft shall only be rented or operated on the littoral waters offshore of the land-based site
for which the business tax receipt is issued until the personal watercraft travels beyond the 500 feet offshore
slow speed limit.
d) The business must provide the town with a list of those PAL vendors who are permitted to pick up customers at
the PWVL location, provided, however, that such activity may take place only for customers who have made a
prior reservation and appointment for such pick up.
e) PAL and PWVL businesses are prohibited from soliciting customers at any location other than the property
boundaries of their land-based site.
f) A business must have and maintain a telephone and an operable marine radio at its land-based operations
office.
2) A business may not knowingly lease, hire, or rent a personal watercraft to any person who is under 18 years of age
(see also F.S. § 327.54)). No person under the age of 14 may operate any personal watercraft.
3) During the sea turtle nesting season (May 1 through October 31), personal watercraft may not be moved across the
beach unless:
a) any state permits that may be required for this activity have been issued;
b) such movement begins only after 9:00 AM, or after completion of daily monitoring for turtle nesting activity by a
FWCC-authorized marine turtle permit holder, whichever occurs first; and
c) the movement does not disturb any sea turtle or sea turtle nest (see also § 14-74(c)).
4) Businesses may not allow their personal watercraft to be used above slow speed within 500 feet of swimmers,
waders, or people floating in/on the water.
5) Personal watercraft rental businesses shall have a motorized chase vessel with an operational marine radio in good
running condition that meets all United States Coast Guard safety requirements kept at the personal watercraft
launching site during all hours of the business operation. The chase vessel may be a personal watercraft reserved for
this purpose.
6) Each personal watercraft must be registered in the name of the business and have a Florida vessel registration
number affixed thereon.
7) Identification markings shall be placed on each personal flotation device worn by operators of the personal
watercraft which distinguishes the business from other businesses engaged in the rental of personal watercraft. Said
marking shall also be located where the personal watercraft are launched. The identification marking, which will be
assigned to the business by the town upon issuance of the PWVL, shall be not less than 9" by 5" in size and of a
contrasting color to the personal flotation device.
8) Personal watercraft may be moored in the water during the operating hours of the business, or on the beach during
operating hours in accordance with the following: Personal watercraft must be set back 15 feet landward from the
edge of wet sand. Between the hours of 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM, all personal watercraft and associated equipment,
including but not limited to mooring lines, must be removed from the beach and placed behind the dune line.