If you’ve ever hunted for seashells on a Florida beach, you know that magical feeling of discovering a perfect piece of the ocean’s treasure. For me, that beach was Boca Grande — a quiet stretch of sand where the shells are plentiful and the water is clear. But lately, Boca Grande isn’t making headlines for seashells. It’s making headlines for angry locals, political maneuvering, and a parking ordinance that has many feeling unwelcome in their own town. Unfortunately, this seems to be a growing trend. I’ve long spoken out about the loss of Florida’s natural spaces to development, and the Boca Grande controversy is just the latest example.
According to a TikTok video that has been circulating online (posted below), some of the controversy appears to involve “wealthy transplants from New York” who, unhappy with seeing locals near new million-dollar homes, may have paid for and influenced the recent political race on the island. While the exact details of that remain unverified, what is certain is that a new parking ordinance did go into effect on Aug. 11, severely limiting beach access for anyone without a permit.
Under the new rules, most beach parking between First Street and 19th Street is now residents-only, with non-residential parking limited to three hours — unless visitors are staying in a hotel or rental property. Fines for violators can reach $500 for blocking residential driveways and $200 for parking in restricted areas. Residents and employees need permits to park for extended periods, effectively reshaping who can enjoy Boca Grande’s beaches freely.
Local voices are speaking out in force. Facebook groups have popped up and the “Keep Boca Grande Open” petition, launched just last month, has already gathered more than 16,000 signatures, with many signers sharing their thoughts and frustrations online.
“Boca Grande should be open to everyone, not just billionaires who feel inconvenienced by people who use the PUBLIC beaches. Visitors to Boca grande support our local businesses and have every right to come and enjoy a day without fear of persecution. Boca Grande is not a private club no matter how much some people want it to be. If they want to live in a private club, I’m sure there’s great real estate in Naples and palm beach,” said one of the signer comments.
Critics warn that the ordinance is a step toward privatizing public beaches, making it harder for longtime residents and visitors to enjoy what was once a shared paradise.
“Beaches are a part of our beautiful Earth and should be available to everyone. If sunsets could be capitalized on – only the rich would see them. Being a citizen of our beautiful Earth is not only for the elite,” another petition signer wrote.
Supporters, however, argue the ordinance is supposedly about safety and managing congestion and believe structured parking is necessary to handle growth on the island.
The situation in Boca Grande is a microcosm of a larger Florida trend: the clash between old communities and wealthy newcomers, and how local politics can be swayed by money and influence. A beach once treasured for its natural beauty is now at the center of a battle over who gets to belong.
What do you think? Is Boca Grande protecting its residents and environment, or shutting out the public in favor of private interests? Let us know in the comments below.
To sign the petition, you can click here.
Oh but it IS how THIS works! Money talks, end of story. The County Commissioners are destroying any kind of “culture” the locals have here. You ain’t seen NOTHIN’ yet here in Charlotte County! They have only just begun!
I think it’s horrible! For us to leave Charlotte County to go over the bridge to visit Lee county we have to pay six dollars then they limited us our time to spend there and have to pay for parking. The public parking for beaches is very limited there. I feel if they’re cutting us off then they should have to pay to come into Charlotte County. Also many of these people do not stay year-round. A lot of these small businesses may suffer. If it was an issue that people were parking and blocking driveways then they could’ve just put up signs that said that your car would be towed if that was to happen or if it was interrupting a construction site. Lee County went too far without any type of warning.
I find it totally unacceptable that something like this is being allowed. Power and money has got us where this country is and where we are fighting to stop.
If this is what they want then either go back where you came from or find a rock where more of their kind can hide under. Don’t screw things up for others
Boca Grande is supported by Charlotte County taxes, which the all the residents of Charlotte County pay for. If Boca Grande residents want privacy, they should not be entitled to financial support from residents outside their area.
Greed and snobbery at work…again. We can’t even move around down here in SWFL due to the insane amount of overbuilding. Horrific traffic accidents because our infrastructure is inadequate to handle the volume. I feel for the locals who have watched their hometowns and wildlife sanctuaries desecrated. Now these nice beaches (where Charlotte County residents could escape) is now off limits. West coast has become East coast…it’s sickening! Do better people!!!!
The rich get their way…always.
Now, that said, perhaps there is a business venture that is at hand. Instead of paying the $6.00 toll to drive over, let a nice commercial pontoon boat operator take 30 or more people over for a morning or afternoon of shelling. What are the islanders going to say then? Can’t park a boat out front of my Megamansion? Guess what..beaches still be free even if access is getting reduced.
One edit to the story—3 hour parking is in the small business area only and beach parking there is prohibited. ALL non-resident parking on beach access roads is also now prohibited. Lee County commissioners’ political campaigns were supported by those who pushed this parking ban. This is political corruption at its peak. The main supporter of this is the billionaire Farish family who own the Gasparilla Inn; this hotel will benefit greatly from the island being exclusive and demanded the Lee County Commissioners make it so. As for the beachfront homeowners, they have publicly stated that “their children can finally play on the beach” now that non-residents have nowhere to park. They purchased $14m homes on the beach and then with some political flexing, removed the public. There is another cost—removing public beach access roads parking forfeits over $4M in 2025 federal and state beach maintenance funding and an estimated $100M more in the coming years. County residents will be taxed to make up this lost money. Is anyone at the federal or state government level watching this? Gov Desantis has been contacted by hundreds of people and remains silent. US Congressmen as well. Is the political corruption too thick to penetrate?
Thank you so much for the clarified information!
This is criminal. And the 4 Lee County so called ‘commissioners’ should be investigated for fraud. They conducted an ‘impact to business’ study and results stated no or little impact to local business. Just right there, everyone including the businesses, know absolutely this is false. SMH
When Boca first came about it was o ly for the rich!! Then became public. Now. They want to do it again. The business’s will not survive without the public.