Starting March 14, local officials will enforce higher fines and stricter penalties for beach behavior during peak spring dates, and they may make those measures permanent. If you plan to visit the beach this spring, expect tougher patrols, larger fines for underage drinking and noisy gatherings, and a higher risk that enforcement will continue beyond the initial dates.
They should explain which violations carry bigger penalties and how enforcement will be applied across beaches, what that means for short-term rental guests and property owners, and whether similar rules will expand to other holiday periods. The article will walk through the new penalties, who will enforce them, and what to watch for if you want a trouble-free visit.
What Are the New Beachgoer Fines and Laws?
The rules increase penalties for noise, underage drinking, and unlawful gatherings during busy beach periods and grant local officials clearer authority to enforce public-access and restoration rules where applicable.
When and Where the Fines Start
Enhanced enforcement begins March 14 and runs through March 22, with a second intensified window from April 4 to April 12 to cover peak spring-break weekends. Newport Beach announced the specific dates and patrol schedules for its beaches, and nearby jurisdictions have signaled similar timeframes for stepped-up policing.
Fines apply on public beaches and adjacent public right-of-way areas; private beachfronts that fall under local “customary use” designations may also be affected if counties have adopted ordinances. State-level changes such as provisions in SB 1622 have made it easier for local governments to clarify where public access and local rules apply, which can affect enforcement boundaries.
Key Behaviors Targeted and Penalties
Officials emphasized three main violations: excessive noise, underage drinking, and unlawful gatherings. Noise ordinance violations during the enforcement windows carry higher fines than usual — reported increases vary by city but can be several hundred dollars for repeat offenses…