Boca Grande and The New Parking Ordinance That Changes Everything

Boca Grande at a Crossroads: Why the New Parking Ordinance Threatens More Than Just Convenience

Boca Grande isn’t just a destination, it’s a memory for many of us. It’s where we paddle alongside manatees, enjoy a quiet lunch near the beach, stroll downtown with an ice cream, or take in the island breeze from a golf cart or bike. It’s a peaceful day trip for locals and a cornerstone for businesses that rely on tourism to survive. But a proposed parking ordinance from Lee County may tip the island’s delicate balance. And as locals, it’s not in our favor.

The Problem Behind the Proposal

Yes, problems exist. Some island residents have reported loud music, unleashed dogs, defecation in yards and on the beach, and an overall sense that basic respect for others has gone out the window. And frankly, they’re right. This kind of behavior shouldn’t be tolerated anywhere, let alone in someone’s backyard. We should expect better from visitors, and accountability should absolutely be enforced.

But banning public street parking across large swaths of the island? That’s not a solution. That’s a knee-jerk reaction with massive collateral damage.

What’s in the Ordinance?

Prohibits parking on major thoroughfares like Gulf Blvd, Gasparilla Road, and Harbor Drive.
Restricts residential zones to vehicles with special A–D permits, leaving visitors and recreational users with minimal options.
Enforces a strict 2-hour parking limit in non-residential zones unless you hold a specific permit.
Designates limited areas for public parking, which will concentrate demand and inevitably overflow to other sensitive areas.

Read the full proposed ordinance for yourself.
Download the proposed ordinance (PDF)

The Unintended Consequences

Locals Lose Access: For many of us who work hard and want to enjoy the island without paying resort prices, Boca Grande has always been a shared treasure. Removing public access takes away that opportunity. From grabbing lunch and renting a paddle board to walking the beach at sunset.
Paddlers Get Squeezed Out: 19th Street East and West currently offer one of the few access points to the water and are at risk of being overrun or blocked altogether. If these areas are flooded with displaced vehicles from banned streets, paddlers may lose access entirely.
State Parks Will Be Overwhelmed: Gasparilla Island State Park parking lots are already maxed out. Rangers can’t write tickets, they can’t manage traffic, and they’re struggling to keep up with trash and maintenance as-is. This proposal shifts the burden to the parks, without giving them any tools to handle it.
Local Businesses Will Hurt: Shops, golf cart rental companies, tour operators, and restaurants all rely on accessible parking. If people can’t park, they won’t come, and that affects the whole economy of the island.
Short-Term Problem, Long-Term Consequence: The peak of visitor traffic is only about 10 weeks a year. Mostly from mid-February to late April. Is a permanent ban really the best we can do to handle a seasonal issue?

There Is a Better Way

Let’s focus on enforcement and not exclusion. Equip the Sheriff’s Office and Lee County Parks and Recreation to deal with unruly behavior. Fund additional rangers and staff who can write tickets and hold violators accountable for peak season. Designate safe zones for beach parking but do not eliminate it completely. But don’t shut down access entirely for the people who love and respect this island.

How You Can Help

Show up and speak up
Lee County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Tuesday, August 5 at 9:30 AM
2120 Main St., Fort Myers, FL

Fill out the petition this data will be presented at the meeting on August 5, 2025. Sign it now!

Read the full proposed ordinance for yourself.
Download the ordinance (PDF)

Urge Lee County Commissioners to Keep Boca Open

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Dear Commissioners, As a resident of Southwest Florida, I am writing to respectfully urge you to preserve public access to Boca Grande and reject the proposed two-hour parking limit. Along with any additional policies that restrict long-standing shoreline access used by working families, volunteers, and visitors throughout our area. Today, Boca Grande is the only consistently accessible beach for residents of Charlotte, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties. With Stump Pass and Don Pedro Island State Parks closed due to storm damage, and Englewood Beach operating at reduced capacity, Boca Grande has become the last remaining lifeline for coastal access in this area. The scope of impact reaches far beyond Lee County: Charlotte County's coastline is severely compromised. Two of its three beach parks remain closed. Milton Pass is an ongoing safety concern for beachgoers at Stump Pass Beach State Park, and Englewood Beach is overcapacity with limited parking and strained facilities. Boca Grande is a shared regional resource. Residents from surrounding counties rely on it not only for recreation, but also for employment, environmental stewardship, and volunteer efforts. Including wildlife rescue and sea turtle protection. The proposed two-hour limit is not workable. Seniors, workers, conservation volunteers, and families with children cannot travel from out of county, park, and meaningfully use the beach within two hours. Public funds were used to protect this coastline. Beach renourishment and access infrastructure were funded by taxpayers and should remain accessible to the broader public who paid for them. This is a matter of fairness, equity, and regional cooperation. Displacing visitors to overcrowded parks, overrun bathrooms, and traffic bottlenecks only weakens public trust and hurts both tourism and quality of life across county lines. If Lee County cannot responsibly manage public access to Boca Grande in a way that considers the regional realities and population it serves, then perhaps it is time to revisit the legislative decisions that designated Charlotte County as a pass-through jurisdiction and split governance of the island. It may be more appropriate for Charlotte County to gain oversight of access points that serve its own residents or for Lee County to collaborate more directly and transparently with surrounding counties to manage the island’s use fairly and sustainably. We support thoughtful enforcement and preservation not exclusion. This is public land, and it should remain accessible to the public that has cared for, worked in, and supported Boca Grande for generations. I respectfully urge you to: Reject the two-hour parking ordinance as written Engage in collaborative regional planning with surrounding counties Respect the long-standing public access traditions and legal obligations tied to this barrier island Thank you for your attention and leadership in this matter. Sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Your County – Charlotte, Sarasota, or DeSoto]

Email to Charlotte County Commisioners

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Dear Commissioners, As a resident of Charlotte County, I am writing to respectfully request that you take formal action to advocate on behalf of your constituents by urging the Lee County Board of Commissioners to preserve reasonable, equitable public access to the beaches and launch points on Boca Grande. Thousands of Charlotte County residents, particularly those in Placida, Grove City, Rotonda West, Gulf Cove, South Gulf Cove rely on Boca Grande as their primary beach access. With two of our three Charlotte County beaches currently closed, and the remaining one only partially open due to hurricane damage, any additional restriction to Boca Grande would have severe local consequences. This issue goes far beyond convenience. It is about equal access to public lands and shared spaces. Public access to Boca Grande supports: Recreation and coastal access for families, seniors, and working residents Jobs and services provided by Charlotte County workers on the island Businesses across both counties that benefit from tourism Wildlife volunteers and conservationists protecting sea turtles, wildlife and fragile ecosystems An already overburdened Florida State Park system, which cannot absorb displaced demand Restricting access would create ripple effects: Force unsustainable traffic and crowding onto State Park facilities already at capacity Strain limited restroom and parking infrastructure at the only remaining open beaches Create a poor visitor experience, leading to trip cancellations, reduced spending, and damage to Charlotte County’s tourism economy Disproportionately harm families, seniors, and individuals with limited mobility, who cannot easily walk long distances or relocate mid-visit Trigger equality concerns, as access to clean, natural shoreline becomes more exclusive and less accessible to working-class communities Public shoreline access on Boca Grande has existed for generations. That access is now at risk of being diminished not through public vote, but through policy decisions influenced by private interests. We ask that Charlotte County take the following actions: Publicly support continued access to Boca Grande for Charlotte County residents. Request formal cross-county coordination between Charlotte and Lee Counties to develop a balanced approach to beach and coastal access without closing off public access Raise awareness with state-level leaders as restrictions on access conflict with the intended public use of state-funded infrastructure such as beach renourishment projects. Acknowledge this issue as an accessibility and equity concern, not simply a parking matter Our residents contribute to the economy, workforce, and stewardship of Boca Grande. We respectfully ask that you stand up for the public interest and take leadership on this issue before irreversible decisions are made. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Full Name] Charlotte County Resident

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Boca Grande and The New Parking Ordinance That Changes Everything

Boca Grande at a Crossroads: Why the New Parking Ordinance Threatens More Than Just Convenience

The Problem Behind the Proposal

What’s in the Ordinance?

The Unintended Consequences

There Is a Better Way

How You Can Help

Urge Lee County Commissioners to Keep Boca Open

Email to Charlotte County Commisioners

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Boca Grande and The New Parking Ordinance That Changes Everything

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A Story of Resilience Through Hurricane Season

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