City of Marco Island Develops Plan for Beaches

The City of Marco Island has developed a plan to mitigate the effects of crowding on Marco Island beaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. An Emergency Order has been executed by Council Chair Erik Brechnitz that increases fines for illegal parking, failing to appropriately social distance on the beach, and other violations of the City’s beach conduct ordinance. The Order authorizes the following: 

• Citing and towing illegally parked vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day with a fine of $200;

• Citing violations of social distancing on the beach when voluntary compliance is refused, with fines of $200.

• Citing of all beach conduct violations including glass containers, dogs, and littering with a fine of $200; and

In addition to this Order, Collier County will limit county beach access on Saturdays and Sundays, and Memorial Day, to the hours of 7:00am – 11:00am and 5:00pm through sunset. This restriction will be in effect for TigerTail Beach and South Beach on Marco Island. All County parking lots will be open only to vehicles that have a Collier County or City of Naples beach parking pass. 

CDC guidelines and the Governor’s Executive Order (EO 20-112) prohibits congregating in groups of ten (10) or more, and requires appropriate social distancing. The City has coordinated with local hotels to ensure their guests on the beach adhere to all City and State regulations. 

It is our goal that these measures will reduce visitors to the island during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to protect the health and safety of Marco Island residents.