Dogs at the beach: the real rules, town by town.

Jacksonville Beach carries the rule that catches everyone: from April 1 through September 30, dogs are banned from the beach between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days a week — mornings and evenings only, all summer. From October through March they’re welcome any hour. Leashed at all times, no exceptions for the surf.

Cross into Neptune Beach or Atlantic Beach and the calendar restriction disappears: dogs are allowed year-round with no time-of-day limits, on a physical leash of 12 feet or less (Neptune’s ordinance specifically rules out electronic collars as a substitute). Both towns carry the allowance that makes them a dog owner’s destination: a dog may swim in the ocean off-leash with its owner — with the leash going back on the moment it’s out of the water. Wading in the shallows doesn’t count as swimming; the lifeguards know the difference. The three beach towns, compared for humans →

South of the county line the rule simplifies: on St. Johns County beaches — Ponte Vedra, Mickler’s, Vilano, St. Augustine Beach — dogs are allowed with a leash or restraint of 12 feet or less keeping them under direct control, year-round, and owners clean up. Amelia Island runs the same way: Fernandina’s shoreline welcomes leashed dogs along the island’s beaches. Neither requires a season calendar; the leash is the whole deal.

The exceptions wear park uniforms. Florida State Parks prohibit dogs on their beaches entirely — which removes Anastasia State Park’s sand (campground and trails yes, beach no), a genuine surprise to St. Augustine visitors. And Jacksonville’s Hanna Park allows dogs only in designated areas, on a leash of 8 feet or less, with a two-dog limit per person and no pets at Dolphin Plaza or the cabins. The pattern to remember: town beaches are generous, state-park beaches are closed, and county parks write their own fine print. The beach water-quality page — the other pre-swim check →