Metal detecting laws, verified & up to date

Is Metal Detecting Legal in Florida?

Rules last verified: · 82 locations checked · jump to your beach

🟡 Allowed, with important restrictions

Quick answer: Metal detecting is legal on most of Florida's public saltwater beaches without a permit — generally between the mean high-water line and the toe of the dune. But it is banned in all national parks, restricted in state parks to park-manager-designated beach zones, illegal on submerged lands, and banned outright in some places (Greater Miami / Miami-Dade, and Broward County parks). Anything more than 50 years old is State property and cannot be kept.

The rules that matter

Penalties: trespass/theft charges locally; ARPA violations carry major federal fines and possible jail; removing artifacts can be a felony.

Florida metal detecting rules by region

Each regional guide lists every beach and park we've checked, with the verdict and the number to call first.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to metal detect on Florida beaches?

Yes — on most public saltwater beaches you can metal detect without a permit, in the strip between the mean high-water line and the toe of the dune. It is banned on all National Park Service beaches (Canaveral, Gulf Islands, Fort Matanzas, Everglades), limited to designated zones in state parks, and prohibited or restricted by local ordinance in some places, notably Miami-Dade and Broward County parks.

Can you use a metal detector on Florida beaches without a permit?

On city- and county-run public beaches, generally yes. State parks only allow it in beach zones the park manager designates, and managers can say no — call ahead. A few inland counties (Marion, Orange County parks) require a permit for their parks.

Can you metal detect in Florida state parks?

Only in the coastal beach zones a park manager designates, never below the water line, and the manager can restrict or refuse. Each state-park page on this site lists the phone number to call first.

Can you metal detect in the water in Florida?

Holding a detector in the water is legal, but everything below the mean high-water line is state sovereignty land and disturbing the bottom sediment is illegal without a state permit. Practically: wet sand yes, digging underwater no.

Can you keep what you find metal detecting in Florida?

Modern coins, rings and jewelry, yes (lost property rules still apply). Anything more than 50 years old found on state land or in state waters belongs to the Florida Division of Historical Resources and may not be kept — the Isolated Finds Program that once allowed it ended in 2005.

Where is metal detecting prohibited in Florida?

All National Park Service units (Everglades, Canaveral and Gulf Islands national seashores, Fort Matanzas), recorded archaeological sites, and anywhere a local ordinance bans it — Miami-Dade and Broward County parks are the best-known. Signs are usually posted; when in doubt, call the number on the location page.

Where are the best places to metal detect in Florida?

The Treasure Coast (Sebastian Inlet to Stuart) for 1715-Fleet-era finds after storms, and any busy public tourist beach — Panhandle, Daytona, Clearwater, Siesta Key — for modern coins and jewelry. Start with the regional guides on this page.

Metal detecting rules by Florida location

Rules vary sharply by county and park. Pick your spot:

Panhandle & Emerald Coast

First Coast (Jacksonville to St. Augustine)

Daytona & the Space Coast

Treasure Coast (1715 Fleet beaches)

South Florida & the Keys

Gulf Coast (Naples to Crystal River)

Central Florida (inland parks)

See also: federal metal detecting laws · best detectors for Florida