If you are thinking about getting married in Florida, here’s the county-by-county permit guide, organized by Region. For more on Weddings in Florida, see our Complete Florida Wedding Guide.
Northeast Florida
Nassau County (Amelia Island / Fernandina Beach)
No permit process exists for a standard beach wedding here. Nassau County’s beaches are open public access with no reservation system for ceremonies. If your plan includes chairs, a tent, or a larger gathering, contact Nassau County Parks & Recreation directly to confirm there’s no conflict with other beach activity that day.
Link: nassaucountyfl.com/173/Parks-Recreation
Duval County (Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach)
There’s no single county-wide permit here, each beach city runs its own process. The steps: identify which of the three beach cities your ceremony spot falls in, then contact that city’s parks department directly to ask whether your guest count and setup need a permit (small, unequipped ceremonies generally don’t). Duval County’s Clerk of Courts handles only the marriage license, not beach permits.
Link: coj.net (search “Jacksonville Beach parks” or “Atlantic Beach parks” from there for the specific city department)
St. Johns County (St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia State Park)
This is one of the stricter counties. Every beach ceremony needs a special-event permit regardless of group size. The process: submit the special event application to St. Johns County at least 14 days ahead, along with a liability insurance certificate. Anastasia State Park runs a separate state park process from the county’s, so confirm which jurisdiction your specific spot falls under before applying.
Link: sjcfl.us/ParksRec (Parks & Recreation permit information)
Flagler County (Flagler Beach, Gamble Rogers Memorial SRA)
No distinct county beach-wedding permit process was published as of this writing. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area follows the standard Florida State Parks special-use process described below rather than a county one. For anywhere else on Flagler Beach, contact the city directly to confirm.
Link: flaglerbeachfl.gov (City of Flagler Beach, for city-managed beach access)
Space Coast
Volusia County (Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach)
No permit is required under 50 total guests (counting the couple, wedding party, guests, and vendors), though a permit is still recommended even under that number if you want a specific site guaranteed rather than first-come, first-served. The process: complete Volusia County’s Special Event Application and a site map showing your exact ceremony location, then submit it to Volusia County Beach Safety for review and approval.
Link: volusia.org/services/public-protection/beach-safety
Brevard County (Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral)
A permit is needed for 25 or more attendees, or for any ceremony involving chairs, an arch, or vendor setup. The process: contact the City of Cocoa Beach Special Events office (for city beach) or Brevard County Parks & Recreation (for county-managed beach), submit your event details, and expect a 2-3 week review for smaller ceremonies. If you’re near Port Canaveral, also check the Kennedy Space Center launch schedule, since launches can affect access and parking on ceremony day.
Link: cocoabeach.org (City of Cocoa Beach) or brevardfl.gov/ParksAndRecreation (county parks)
Treasure Coast
Indian River County (Vero Beach)
No detailed public permit schedule was found for this county. The practical step is to call Indian River County’s Parks, Recreation & Conservation office directly with your date, location, and guest count to confirm what, if anything, is required.
Link: ircgov.com/Departments/GeneralServices/ParksRecreation
St. Lucie County (Fort Pierce, Avalon State Park)
No detailed public permit schedule was found. Contact St. Lucie County Parks & Recreation directly for anything beyond a small, unequipped ceremony, especially at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, which follows the separate state park process below.
Link: stlucieco.gov/departments-services/a-z/parks-recreation
Martin County (Stuart, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound)
No detailed public permit schedule was found. Contact Martin County Parks & Recreation directly to confirm requirements at Stuart Beach or Jensen Beach; Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge and Jonathan Dickinson State Park both follow federal or state processes rather than the county’s.
Link: martin.fl.us/parks-recreation
Gold Coast
Palm Beach County (Jupiter, Juno Beach, Palm Beach)
No detailed public permit schedule was found at the county level. Most beach ceremonies here fall under whichever municipality manages the specific beach access (Jupiter, Juno Beach, Palm Beach, etc.), so contact that city’s parks department directly with your date, location, and guest count.
Link: discover.pbcgov.org/parks (Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation, for county-managed beach parks specifically)
Broward County (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach)
This one genuinely varies city to city within the same county. Fort Lauderdale does not require a permit for a small beach wedding; for anything larger, submit the electronic outdoor special event application through the city’s parks department. Hollywood requires a permit through its Special Events Division regardless. Pompano Beach requires an application through its Parks Department as well.
Links: parks.fortlauderdale.gov/special-events · hollywoodfl.org/1184/Beach-Wedding-Permit · pompanobeachfl.gov (search “Parks and Recreation” for Pompano’s application)
Miami-Dade County (Miami Beach, Key Biscayne)
Miami Beach has a specific, well-documented process: apply online through the city’s Special Events portal for a permit covering simple wedding ceremonies up to 150 guests and a 4-hour window. For county-owned parks and beaches outside Miami Beach’s city limits (including the approach to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, which itself follows the state park process below), Miami-Dade Parks issues its own special events permit.
Links: miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/tourism-culture/special-events/apply-for-a-special-events-permit · miamidade.gov (search “Parks Special Events Permit”)
The Florida Keys
Monroe County (Key Largo through Key West)
Beaches here are managed by a mix of state, county, and city authorities depending on the exact site, so the first step is figuring out which one applies to your spot. In Key West specifically, apply through the City of Key West Special Event Permit process; for county beaches elsewhere in the Keys, contact Monroe County directly. Expect a longer runway than most of this list, 4-6 weeks minimum, and 8 or more weeks if your date falls near a major event like Fantasy Fest.
Link: keywestcity.com (search “Special Event Permit”) · monroecounty-fl.gov (for county-managed sites)
Southwest Florida
Collier County (Naples, Marco Island)
A Beach Events Permit is needed for 10 or more attendees, or for any ceremony with chairs, décor, or vendor setup. The process: submit an application through Collier County Parks & Recreation well ahead of your date, 4 weeks minimum, 6-8 weeks in peak season, since Naples is a popular destination-wedding market and slots fill up.
Link: colliercountyfl.gov (search “Parks and Recreation Beach Events”)
Lee County (Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva)
Lee County uses a “Use of County Property Permit” for any organized use of a county park, beach, or facility, with a lighter Small Gathering Permit track available for groups under 50 and a fuller Special Event Permit required at 50 or more. The process starts with Lee County’s Development Services special-event guide, which outlines which track applies and what documentation to submit.
Link: leegov.com/dcd/BldPermitServ/guides/SpecEvent
Charlotte County (Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island)
No detailed public permit schedule was found. Gasparilla Island State Park follows the state park process below; for anywhere else in Boca Grande, contact Charlotte County Parks & Recreation directly.
Link: charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/parks-recreation
Tampa Bay Area
Sarasota County (Siesta Key, Venice, Longboat Key)
A Special Event Permit is required for 25 or more attendees, or for anything involving structures, chairs, or amplified sound. The process runs through Sarasota County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources; apply at least 3 weeks out, and closer to 6 weeks if your date falls in peak season (October through April).
Link: scgov.net/government/parks-recreation-and-natural-resources
Manatee County (Anna Maria Island)
Every wedding on Manatee County property requires a special event permit, there’s no small-ceremony exemption here. The county manages five beaches available for ceremony reservations. Anna Maria Island is administratively split between the county and individual towns, so a wedding in the Town of Holmes Beach specifically goes through that city’s own application (submitted 30 days to 365 days ahead) rather than the county’s.
Links: mymanatee.org (search “Group Visits and Special Events”) · holmesbeachfl.org/departments/pay_apply_online/wedding_permits.php (Holmes Beach specifically)
Pinellas County (Clearwater, St. Pete Beach, Fort De Soto)
This is the strictest county on this entire list: a permit is required for every organized event regardless of size, and applications must be submitted a minimum of 90 days ahead. The process runs through Pinellas County Parks, with Fort De Soto Park and Sand Key Beach specifically called out as the county’s designated wedding-friendly beach locations. Individual cities within the county (Clearwater, St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island) each run their own separate process for their city-managed beaches, so confirm which authority actually governs your specific spot before applying.
Links: pinellascounty.org/park/private_events.htm · stpetebeach.org/383/Permits-Applications · madeirabeachfl.gov/beach-wedding-permit · mytreasureisland.org (search “Beach Weddings”)
The Florida Panhandle
Escambia County (Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key)
Pensacola Beach is genuinely one of the easiest processes on this whole list. The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA), which manages the beach, doesn’t require a formal permit for a standard ceremony, you simply notify them of your location, date, time, and approximate guest count. A permit is only required if you’re bringing a tent larger than 10×12 feet. On Perdido Key, small ceremonies at the four public beach access points also don’t need a permit; the exception is Johnson Beach inside Gulf Islands National Seashore, which requires a National Park Service Special Use Permit, submitted at least 30 days ahead.
Links: sria-fla.com/events (Santa Rosa Island Authority) · nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/special-use-permits.htm (Gulf Islands National Seashore / Johnson Beach)
Santa Rosa County (Navarre Beach)
No formal permit process was found for a standard small ceremony at Navarre Beach Marine Park itself. For anything larger or involving a reserved pavilion, contact Santa Rosa County Parks & Recreation directly to confirm current requirements.
Link: santarosa.fl.gov/162/Parks-Recreation
Okaloosa County (Destin, Fort Walton Beach)
Within Destin city limits, only two parks, Crystal Beach Park and June White Decker Beach Park, allow a permitted small wedding without going through the larger state park process, capped at 25 guests. The process: apply through the City of Destin, submit required paperwork and fees, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Public Safety must review and approve before final issuance. For county parks like James Lee Park, contact Okaloosa County Parks Division directly, permits there are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Link: myokaloosa.com/parks (Okaloosa County Parks & Recreation) · contact the City of Destin directly for the two city-park applications
Walton County (Miramar Beach, Sandestin, 30A)
Every wedding on a South Walton public beach access requires a Beach Wedding Permit, regardless of group size, this is the one county where there’s no small-ceremony exemption at all. The process: complete the Beach Wedding Permit application and submit it to Walton County Planning and Development Services / Beach Code Compliance. The application asks for your specific beach access point, date, time, and headcount, and once issued, your event is added to the county’s schedule so no two weddings are booked at the same access point simultaneously.
Link: mywaltonfl.gov/649/Outdoor-Event-Permits
Bay County (Panama City Beach)
No permit or fee is required for a Panama City Beach ceremony under 50 people. At 50 or more, Bay County requires a permit for events at any public beach area (a permit is not needed at a resort or private property where you have the owner’s permission). The process: contact Bay County’s special events office directly to submit your application.
Link: baycountyfl.gov (search “Special Events Permit”) · email [email protected] for the City of Panama City Beach side specifically
Gulf County (Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe)
No permit or license is currently required for a beach wedding here. Worth a courtesy call to Gulf County if your ceremony is large or involves significant equipment, since this could change.
Link: gulfcounty-fl.gov
Franklin County (St. George Island, Apalachicola)
No permit is currently required, though locals note the county has discussed adding one, so it’s worth confirming as your date approaches rather than assuming this stays true indefinitely.
Link: franklincountyflorida.com
One More Category: Florida State Parks
Several of the best beaches in this whole guide, Henderson Beach, Topsail Hill Preserve, Grayton Beach, St. Andrews, St. Joseph Peninsula, Bahia Honda, Caladesi Island, and others, sit inside Florida State Parks and follow a separate process from any city or county, run through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection rather than local government. The general steps: submit a Special Use Agreement directly to the specific park (not a central state office), plan for a minimum 30-day lead time (60 days is safer, especially for peak season), and expect to provide a certificate of liability insurance naming Florida DEP as an additional insured. Décor generally can’t be staked into the sand or dunes, everything needs to be freestanding and removed the same day.
Link: floridastateparks.org → find your specific park → look for “Weddings” or “Special Use Permit” on that park’s own page, since the exact process and contact are handled park by park rather than centrally.
A few patterns worth calling out to your readers across this whole list: Walton and Pinellas Counties are the two places where even the smallest ceremony needs paperwork, no exceptions. Escambia County (Pensacola Beach) is the most relaxed process on the entire list, a phone call or email notification rather than a formal application. And almost everywhere else falls in between, small and unequipped is generally fine without a permit, but the moment you add a chair, an arch, or more than a handful of guests, it’s worth that one phone call to the relevant parks department before you build the rest of your day around a spot you haven’t cleared.
