Rules & Regulations
(Scroll down for all!)
BEACH FERRY RULES AND REGULATIONS
FERRY HOURS: The Beach Ferry operating schedule is daily (including all holidays), 9:30 AM to sunset from October through May and 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM from June through September, every 30 minutes, except for 1:00 PM. From time to time, due to weather or maintenance, the Beach Ferry is closed. We will attempt to keep the Beach Ferry operating status updated on the website, but can’t guarantee it’s accuracy. Also, when purchasing a Beach Ferry membership, you have the option of getting text messages and/or email notifications of closure.
Improper use of the ferry property, beach, or ferry, may lead to having your ferry access revoked and the loss of your ferry privileges.
Lost Ferry ID cards will be replaced at a cost of $25.00 per card.
The ferry captain on duty is in complete charge of the ferry operation and may suspend ferry services at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. The Captain has the duty and authority to enforce these rules and regulations:
- All ferry passengers must have valid ferry access or be a guest of a passenger with valid access. Ferry access is sold to a residence. It allows for up to 2 primary resident pass holders per household and 4 guest
passes, for a total of six (6) total passengers. NO EXCEPTIONS. DO NOT offer to take persons unknown to you as
your guest.
2. PASSHOLDER MUST ACCOMPANY GUESTS.
3. NO LARGE COOLERS OR BEACH CARTS. Coolers MUST FIT under the benches (15” H x 18” W). Anything with
wheels is subject to exclusion. No smoking is allowed in the ferry house, on the ferry, or on the beach. No glass
containers in the ferry house, on the ferry or on the beach.
4. Only the Captain shall handle the barrier doors at the ferry house or the barrier chain on the ferry. It is the Captain’s discretion to refuse access to anyone.
5. No animals are permitted on ferry or beach for any reason.
6. Per US Coast Guard Regulations, passengers must remain seated while the ferry is in motion and until
the captain opens the barrier chain. Children are not allowed to sit on the lap of other people.
7. No grills are allowed on the ferry or the beach. No bonfires allowed on the beach
8. Please help to protect our beach and bring all items, including trash back to the ferry house and take it with you.
9. If you sell your home, ownership of ferry access is not transferable to new owners. If this
occurs, forfeiture and cancellation of your access will result.
10. No fishing or boating within 50 yards north or south of the walkway to allow for safe swimming
Please be considerate of nearby swimmers.
11. No nudity permitted on beach property
12. Any group activity on the beach must have prior approval of the South Venice Beach Endowment
Trust & Captain
13. Swim at your own risk; there are no lifeguards on the beach; there are no bathrooms except at the
ferry house.
14. No overnight camping
15. WHEN THE CAPTAIN LOWERS THE FLAG, AND/OR ANNOUNCES VIA BULL HORN THAT THE BEACH MUST BE
CLEARED, ALL PATRONS MUST REPORT TO THE STEPS AND VACATE THE BEACH.
16. If you are caught giving your pass to renters you will lose/forfeit your access with NO REFUNDS.
17. If your property is held in the name of a trust or business entity, you must bring documentation showing
members of business or beneficiaries of trust. All passes are for individuals not trusts or businesses.
18. If you own more than one residence in South Venice Beach community you may only purchase a pass for ONE PROPERTY.
The Trust asks that you refrain from using any portion of the beach as a restroom.
A port-o-potty is available at the ferry house.
By authority of the South Venice Beach Endowment Trust
Revised December 2023
2024 Ferry Rules.docx
Boat Ramp Rules & Regulations (Users Agreement)
You MUST LOCK the gate when you are done with the ramp. IF YOU LEAVE THE RAMP GATE OPEN, YOUR ACCESS WILL BE TERMINATED – NO REFUNDS.
YOU MUST DISPLAY A DECAL IN YOUR VEHICLE AND ON YOUR TRAILER.
When you purchase boat ramp access, you are responsible for the following rules and regulations. Use of the ramp is at your own risk.
1. Use of the ramp is a privilege – don’t abuse it. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has the power to shut down the ramp for the misuse of this privilege because the area is on environmentally sensitive land.
2. The ramp access device (smart phone) must remain in your possession at all times. Lending or giving it to another party is strictly prohibited. Spot checks will be performed at the boat ramp. Improper use of the ramp and/or access device will lead to the loss of your boat ramp privileges.
3. Replace the padlock on the gate and lock it after each launch. Leaving the gate unlocked gives others a free ride for the same privilege for which you paid.
4. Check the tide tables before you launch your boat to make sure there is enough water depth at the ramp. There are channel marker poles in the water leading from the ramp area to the Intracoastal Waterway. Keep your boat to the southerly side of the poles and close to them when going in and out. The ramp accommodates vessels up to 24 feet. For safety purposes, do not exceed the limit.
5. Current license tags on boat trailers are required. There is no parking of vehicles without boat trailers in the designated parking area; it is not a guest parking lot. Do not block other vehicles or trailers. In rainy weather, please do not park in the saturated areas of the ferry field.
6. Cleaning of fish in the ramp area is not allowed.
7. PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. If you see garbage in the area, please pick it up and dispose of it with your regular trash. Everyone is responsible for keeping the area clean.
8. ABSOLUTELY NO PHYSICAL VIOLENCE WILL BE TOLERATED AT THE BOAT RAMP OR ON SVBET PROPERTY. NO EXCEPTIONS. ACCESS WILL BE TERMINATED. NO REFUNDS.
9. The SVBET grounds (referred to as the park) has set hours of operation – sunup to sundown. Gates around the perimeter will be locked before sunup and after sundown. Use your fence access before and after these times. LOCK THE FENCE after you leave.
10. Absolutely no commercial operators, boats or vehicles may be launched, parked or permitted on the property at any time without express permission of the SVBET Board of Trustees. This property is limited to private, recreational use only.
ANY AND ALL INFRACTIONS AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL BE DEALT WITH ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND MAY RESULT IN CRIMINAL PROSECTION AND/OR LOSS OF PRIVILEGES.
ALL APPLICABLE FLORIDA BOATING REGULATIONS ARE TO BE FOLLOWED, FOR MORE INFO., PLEASE VISIT: myfwc.com/boating/boating-regulations.
I am aware that surveillance cameras are in constant use and will be monitoring the premises at all times. Ideo from these cameras can and will be used to enforce prosecution for criminal behavior and compliance with the prescribed rules.
KAYAK, CANOE & PADDLE BOARD LAUNCH AREA ACCESS Rules & Regulations (USERS AGREEMENT)
You MUST LOCK the gate after entering or leaving. IF YOU LEAVE THE ACCESS GATE UNLOCKED, YOUR ACCESS WILL BE TERMINATED – NO REFUNDS. YOU MUST DISPLAY A PARKING PERMIT DECAL IN YOUR VEHICLE VISIBLE ON THE DASH. PURSCHASING KAYAK/CANOE/PADDLE BOARD LAUNCH AREA ACCESS DOES NOT GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO USE THE BOAT RAMP. YOU CANNOT USE THE BOAT RAMP TO LAUNCH KAYAKS, CANOES, OR PADDLE BOARDS.
When you purchase kayak/canoe/paddle board launch area access, you are responsible for the following rules and regulations. Use of the launch area is at your own risk.
- Use of thelaunch area is a privilege – don’t abuse it. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has the power to shut down access since the area is on environmentally sensitive land.
- The launch area access device (smart phone) must remain in your possession at all times. Lending or giving it to another party is strictly prohibited. Spot checks will be performed at the launch area and/or parking area. Improper use of the launch area and/or access device will lead to the loss of your launch area access Failure to display your sticker could lead to towing.
- Replace the padlock on the access area gate and lock it after each launchor recovery.
- The designated parking area is just outside of the Beach Ferry parking area gate. Do not park in the Ferry parking area. Do not block other vehicles. In rainy weather, please do not park in the saturated areas of the field.
- There are no fish cleaning facilities and it is not allowed on the property.
- PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. If you see garbage in the area, please pick it up and dispose of it with your regular trash. Everyone is responsible for keeping the area clean.
- ABSOLUTELY NO PHYSICAL VIOLENCE WILL BE TOLERATED. NO EXCEPTIONS. ACCESS WILL BE TERMINATED. NO REFUNDS.
- The SVBET grounds (referred to as the park) has set hours of operation – sunup to sundown. Gates around the perimeter will be locked before sunup and after sundown. Use your fence access before and after these times. LOCK THE FENCE after you leave.
- Absolutely no commercial operators, boats or vehicles may be launched, parked or permitted on the property at any time. This property is limited to private, recreational use only.
ANY AND ALL INFRACTIONS AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL BE DEALT WITH ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND MAY RESULT IN CRIMINAL PROSECTION AND/OR LOSS OF PRIVILEGES.
ALL APPLICABLE FLORIDA BOATING REGULATIONS ARE TO BE FOLLOWED, FOR MORE INFO., PLEASE VISIT: myfwc.com/boating/boating-regulations.
I am aware that surveillance cameras are in constant use and will be monitoring the premises at all times. Video from these cameras can and will be used to enforce prosecution for criminal behavior and compliance with the prescribed rules.
The Trust asks that you refrain from using any portion of the beach as a restroom.
A port-o-potty is available at the Ferry Dock House