Metal Detecting at St. Petersburg Beaches
Pinellas County · Gulf Central · City/County beach
Last verified:
The rules
No St. Petersburg ordinance bans detecting on city beaches or parks (Code Ch. 21, Art. II is silent). The one detector rule, Sec. 16.30.070.3.3, bars using a metal detector or probe to search for or dig up archaeological resources on public property without the City's written permission — so stay off the city's archaeological sites (Maximo Park is one). Nearby Pinellas County parks like Fort De Soto allow detectors only on the beaches (County Code Sec. 90-7(p)).
Permit: Not required for casual beach detecting on city beaches; the City's written permission is required to search for archaeological resources (Sec. 16.30.070.3.3)
📞 Call ahead: 727-893-7441 (confirm the current rule before you go)
Why detect here
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More spots nearby: Gulf Coast (Naples to Crystal River) · See the full Florida metal detecting laws · federal rules · which detector to buy
Source: City of St. Petersburg Code of Ordinances, Sec. 16.30.070.3.3 (Prohibited practices) and Ch. 21 Art. II (Park Rules); Pinellas County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 90-7(p) (Metal detectors). Verify against the managing authority before detecting.