Dogs on the Beach

A wet, unleashed golden retriever with an Orchid dog tag stands in the sand by the ocean, his tongue happily lolling.

Orchid is a dog-friendly community and canine companions are welcome to enjoy the beach with their caretakers daily from sunrise to sunset. Following is information about the local laws to be aware of, as you and your furry friend visit the beach together for fun in sun. Please read all the information carefully. 

In brief

  1. Leashed dogs are permitted on the beach from sunrise to sunset provided the leash is commercially manufactured to restrain a dog of the relevant size and/or weight and it is not extended more than 8 feet in length. No license is required for dogs on the beach kept on a leash not extended more than 8 feet in length.
  2. Off-leash dogs (or dogs on a leash extended more than 8 feet) are permitted on the beach during the daily hours of sunrise to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to sunset if they are licensed with the Town. See below for more information and how to apply. 

More details

All caretakers must:

  1. have no more than two dogs in their care on the beach at any time; and,
  2. carry appropriate bags or “pooper scooper” or other such device for the purpose of picking up their dog's fecal matter, which must be disposed of at their property. Fecal matter may not be disposed of in trash receptacles provided on the beach by private entities. The leaving of fecal matter on the beach, even if covered over by sand, is a violation; and,
  3. keep their dog(s) off the dunes, to include the dune slope; and,
  4. keep their dog(s) from disturbing sea turtle nests; and,
  5. carry a valid form of identification with them; and,
  6. ensure that their dogs are not a public nuisance or a danger to persons, dogs or wildlife. Examples include:
    • The dog has bitten, attacked, or inflicted severe injury on a human being.
    • The dog has severely injured or killed another animal.
    • The dog has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons.
    • The dog barked in an excessive or continuous manner, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons.
    • The caretaker has failed to pick up and dispose of a dog’s fecal matter from the beach or public right of way.
    • The dog has walked or climbed on the beach dunes, including the slope, or has disturbed a sea turtle nest.

Caretakers of licensed dogs that are off-leash or on a leash extended beyond 8 feet from sunrise to 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. to sunset, must:

  1. maintain constant visual contact with the dogs; and,
  2. keep the dogs within sixty (60) feet; and,
  3. have in possession a leash commercially manufactured to restrain each dog that enables the dog to be restrained within not more than 8 feet; and,
  4. have attached a corresponding dog tag issued by the Town to the dog’s collar/harness.

Penalties

Penalties have been established for violations of the Town's regulations pertaining to dogs on the beach. Violations may result in a citation with a maximum civil penalty not to exceed $500. For more information see the Town Code or contact Town Staff. 

Aerial of a portion of Orchid depicting boundaries of beach to which local regulations apply.

Who can apply?

The application for a dog license is available to anyone with interest in having their dog off-leash during designated hours on the beach in Orchid. As long as the dog is up-to-date on its rabies vaccination (proof required) and the owner attests that the dog has not been the unprovoked aggressor in a fighting or biting incident, and past violations do not preclude it, a dog license will be made available.

It's important to be aware that the beach in Orchid does not have direct public access from Route A1A. For persons, who do not have access to the Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club community, the only way onto the beach in Orchid (to which the application applies) is from on the beach itself north and south of the Town’s boundaries. The north end of the beach is directly adjacent to the Sanderling Community, recognizable by its seawall and extends about 3,400 feet southward to just shy of the next seawall (there is no seawall in Orchid). The beach is about 2,340 feet north of the Wabasso Beach access point and 1,730 south of the Golden Sands beach access point. Click on the picture to get a larger view - the orange area is the beach within the Town of Orchid. 

Application Process

A license and dog tag may be obtained by filing documentation, which includes an application form containing the notarized signature of the dog’s owner affirming understanding of these regulations as well as confirmation that the dog has not been the unprovoked aggressor in a fighting or biting incident. The form must be accompanied by a veterinarian’s certificate of current rabies vaccination or valid Indian River County animal license which includes:

  • expiration date of vaccination; and
  • the name and breed(s) of the dog.

Each license is valid from its issuance to the end of the Town’s fiscal year, September 30. Each license is specific to a particular dog and is not transferable. Multiple licenses can be obtained by an owner of multiple dogs. If a dog’s rabies vaccination expires during the license period, the owner must supply the Town with up-to-date documentation of the new vaccination to keep the license valid. 

Important: a license is not required for dogs that will be kept on a leash not extended more than 8 feet.

License Renewal

An issued license can be renewed annually for a reduced fee if the license remains in good standing at the end of the year to which it applied. Renewals do require that the same application form be completed again and that the proof of vaccination on file is current (if it needs to be updated, please submit a new copy). The reason the application form must be completed annually is to recertify every year that the dog has not been involved in a fighting or biting incident, and to help keep the program's parameters front of mind for those taking part in it. 

Application Form and Fee

The application form is available to download at the bottom of this page (look for the PDF icon), but please feel free to request an application or assistance via email or phone at (772) 581-2770 ext. 2. You are also very welcome to visit Town Hall at 7707 U.S. Highway 1, Suite 1, Vero Beach, FL 32967. 

The application form is three pages long and all must be completed. You should input initials at the bottom of the first page, complete the second page, and have your signature notarized on the third page. All employees at Town Hall are notaries and will be happy to assist with the completion of an application form. 

For payment of the associated fee, please click the button below. Please first make sure you have submitted the application and rabies vaccination documentation. Payment of the fee alone does not result in the issuance of a dog license - not even at the time of renewal.