Indian River County commissioners to discuss anchoring limitations
By Justin Breckenridge
July 16, 2025 at 11:56 AM EDT
VERO BEACH — The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 9 a.m. to consider a proposed ordinance that would establish anchoring limitation areas within the City of Vero Beach and the Town of Indian River Shores.
The meeting will take place in the Commission Chambers at the Indian River County Administrative Complex, located at 1801 27th Street in Vero Beach.
The proposed ordinance aims to amend Chapter 932, Article VII of the Indian River County Code of Ordinances in accordance with Florida Statute 327.4108.
The statute outlines the rules for anchor limitation areas as follows, according to Melissa Meisenberg, senior lagoon environmental specialist with the county:
"An ALA is an area with a maximum number of consecutive days (45) a boat may anchor. It is marked with signs and buoys, so boaters are aware of the limitation. If a boat is anchored beyond 45 days, law enforcement may ask to see documentation showing the vessel was moved at least one mile away within the 45 days or an electronic device showing the vessel was in another location at least one mile away within the 45 days," said Meisenburg. "If the ordinance is violated, law enforcement may issue a citation or may impound the vessel for up to 48 hours if the vessel continues to anchor 12 hours after the issuance of a citation or if the owner refuses to move the vessel."
County officials will receive testimony and evidence during the hearing before taking action on the ordinance. The proposed measure includes provisions for severability, inclusion in the county code, and an effective date.
“The City of Vero Beach felt ALAs are in the public interest, promotes public health, safety, and welfare of it citizens and visitors,” reads the resolution from the City of Vero Beach requesting the county add the ALAs.
The meeting is open to the public.
The meeting will take place in the Commission Chambers at the Indian River County Administrative Complex, located at 1801 27th Street in Vero Beach.
The proposed ordinance aims to amend Chapter 932, Article VII of the Indian River County Code of Ordinances in accordance with Florida Statute 327.4108.
The statute outlines the rules for anchor limitation areas as follows, according to Melissa Meisenberg, senior lagoon environmental specialist with the county:
- Adjacent to an urban areas with residential docking and significant recreational boating traffic.
- Each ALA must be less than 100 acres.
- A person may not anchor for more than 45 consecutive days in a 6-month period.
- The ALAs may not exceed 10% of the navigable waterway.
- Must not include a marina or mooring field.
"An ALA is an area with a maximum number of consecutive days (45) a boat may anchor. It is marked with signs and buoys, so boaters are aware of the limitation. If a boat is anchored beyond 45 days, law enforcement may ask to see documentation showing the vessel was moved at least one mile away within the 45 days or an electronic device showing the vessel was in another location at least one mile away within the 45 days," said Meisenburg. "If the ordinance is violated, law enforcement may issue a citation or may impound the vessel for up to 48 hours if the vessel continues to anchor 12 hours after the issuance of a citation or if the owner refuses to move the vessel."
County officials will receive testimony and evidence during the hearing before taking action on the ordinance. The proposed measure includes provisions for severability, inclusion in the county code, and an effective date.
“The City of Vero Beach felt ALAs are in the public interest, promotes public health, safety, and welfare of it citizens and visitors,” reads the resolution from the City of Vero Beach requesting the county add the ALAs.
The meeting is open to the public.