§ 5-1. Vessel speeds, no-wake zones generally.

(a)

As used in this section, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:

(1)

Motorboat means any boat or vessel propelled or powered by machinery.

(2)

Operate or operation means to navigate or otherwise use such a boat or vessel.

(3)

Vessel is synonymous with "boat" and means a motor- or artificially propelled vehicle and every other description of watercraft, whether motor-propelled or not, including barges and airboats, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(4)

Waters of this county means all waters lying within the boundaries of the county of such a proportion to allow thereupon the operation of a vessel or a motorboat.

(5)

Wake means the track or trail left in the water by a moving motorboat or vessel.

(b)

The board of county commissioners is hereby authorized and empowered to regulate and set the maximum speed at which motorboats and vessels of all kinds may be operated on rivers, lakes, streams and other waterways of the county, and to establish no-wake zones on the rivers, lakes, streams and other waterways.

(c)

The board of county commissioners may set such speed limits or no-wake zones by resolution, the resolution to be considered at a public hearing after advertising the date, time and place of the hearing and the context of the resolution at least fourteen (14) days prior to the hearing. In considering the need for such regulation and the proper speed limit and no-wake zone imposed, the board shall consider the following:

(1)

The damage or injury to property or public safety that is or may be caused by motorboats and vessels and whether or not such damage or injury may be lessened or prevented by the regulation of the speed and motorboats and vessels along such waterways and the establishment of no-wake zones.

(2)

The width of the waterway.

(3)

The density of the boat traffic flow.

(4)

The type and character of the bank along such waterway.

(5)

The number of curves along such waterway.

(6)

Such other information and factors as the board deems necessary.

(d)

After adoption of such speed limit resolution, speed limit signs shall be posted at all public boat-entrance ramps and public launching points along the portion of the waterway specified in the resolution. Additional signs may be posted as deemed necessary by the county engineer's department.

(e)

The provisions of this section may be enforced by any local, state or federal law enforcement officer acting within his or her jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 84-16, §§ 1, 2, 6-12-84; Ord. No. 89-12, § 4, 5-9-89)

State law reference

Local regulation of watercraft activities, F.S. § 327.60.