A:

Hi Kelly,

This is a difficult question to answer because although the rules are fairly clear, there is always room for some ambiguity and exceptions.

As mentioned in some other answers regarding beach popups… there is the “intent ” of the rule.

In the case of popup tents, the rules that have been established have the following intent:

1. Allow the lifeguards and beach patrol to do their jobs and be able to see EVERYONE on the beach to ensure that there is no danger. Can you imagine how difficult it would be for beach patrol and lifeguards to make sure everyone was safe on the beach and not doing “scandalous” things if there were hundreds or even thousands of tents on the beach with no sides you could see through?
2. Minimize the amount of “visual interference” that other beach-goers may have to experience when they search for a good spot to lay down their towel on the beach. If you were the only person on the beach without a tent and you had to lay your towel down in a “sea” of other large tents, it might make your beach experience a little less fun.

So, with that being said.  Please be courteous and mindful of other beach-goers and it would be doubtful if any beach patrol would ask you to take it down.  The “reasonable” attitude by the beach patrol and lifeguards might change and get more restrictive if it starts to become a problem.