Beach Rules & Regulations

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Before heading to Alabama's Beaches, familiarize yourself with our beach rules & regulations to help ensure safety while visiting.

Perhaps the most recognizable features of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are the 32 miles of white-sand beaches that stretch across the coastline.

Alabama’s beaches are known for being safe, clean havens for families. In an effort to protect our environment as well as our local wildlife, the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach enacted the Leave Only Footprints initiative many years ago. Through the LOF program, the two cities implemented a few simple, easy-to-follow beach rules and regulations. Learn more about how you can help us keep our beautiful beaches clean and safe for years to come through Leave Only Footprints. Help keep Alabama's Beaches pristine and natural resources plentiful for future generations to enjoy by practicing responsible tourism when vacationing.

As you plan your visit to our pristine beaches, you may be wondering what can I bring? While vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, please remember that the following items are not allowed on our beaches.

Glass containers
Drones
Tobacco, e-cigarettes, or vapes
Holes larger than 12 inches
Fireworks, sky lanterns, or sparklers
Metal shovels or excessive digging
Loud music
Litter
Fires, grills, or cooking devices
Tents or structures larger than 12’ x 12’ in Orange Beach or 10’ x or 7’ x 7’ x 4’ in Gulf Shores, depending on the beach access location (see each city’s website for further clarification and updates)
Pets
Overnight camping
Vehicles
Golf carts

Recreational drone operation is prohibited on Orange Beach and Gulf Shores beaches.

In Orange Beach, commercial and special event drone filming is allowed but requires a permit. Commercial real estate drone filming requires permission from the city as well as an annual fee. You can learn more about drone usage on the City of Orange Beach website.

In Gulf Shores, drones may be flown at Gulf Place only if permitted by the FAA and approved in advance by the city. You may contact the city to request a permit.

While we suggest leaving the things to above behind during your beach trip, here are a few items that are allowed on our beaches.

Beach chairs
Umbrellas
Small tents/shade structures
Food
Drinks in non-glass containers
Coolers
Kites
Beach wagons/caddies
Portable radios and speakers

*All tents, canopies, and EZ-Ups must be placed behind the white Leave Only Footprints flags when set up on Orange Beach and Gulf Shores’ public beaches. It is imperative that lifeguards have an unobstructed view of the shoreline and that emergency response teams have access to the water without delays. Additionally, if left unattended, tents set up along the water can result in a build-up of marine debris and trash.

All items left on the beach overnight or put out before dawn are discarded by patrol crews. For more beach rules and regulations, visit The City of Gulf Shores website and Leave Only Footprints.