§ 5-44. Conditions of use.

(a)

The operation of any personal watercraft in excess of idle speed in or on all waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Apalachicola Bay, St. George Sound, and Alligator Harbor within five hundred (500) feet of the beach or bay-side shoreline is hereby prohibited, except there shall be exceptions for Bob Sikes Cut and the Creekmore "2 Mile" channel.

(b)

The launching of personal watercraft shall be restricted to privately owned property. County owned property shall not be authorized as a launching site, except for boat ramps.

(c)

The operation of any personal watercraft in the manmade canals shall be at idle speed until such time as the watercraft has reached five hundred (500) feet offshore.

(d)

The operation of any personal watercraft through marsh or wetland vegetation is prohibited. Any personal watercraft within the Nick's Hole estuary shall operate at idle speed.

(e)

All personal watercraft shall stay at least fifty (50) feet away from any vessel operating in the waters of Franklin County.

(f)

Any person, company, or entity engaged in the leasing or renting of personal watercraft shall do so in a commercially zoned area. The access channel between the beach and five hundred (500) feet offshore for the leasing or rental company shall be visibly marked by the company and such markers shall be removed one-half hour after sunset. Personal watercraft shall not be rented so that they are operated after sunset.

(Ord. No. 95-8, § 4, 7-18-95)