Frequently Asked Questions

The Dunedin City Commission voted unanimously, 5-0, at its September 3rd meeting to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the launching of motorized watercraft on the south side of the Dunedin Causeway. 

Ordinance 26-08 amends the City of Dunedin Code of Ordinances to prohibit launching of motorized watercraft from the south side of Dunedin Causeway Beach to protect the shoreline, reduce negative environmental impacts and improve overall user safety. 

No, there is no paved boat ramp on the south side of the Causeway, meaning the public was launching directly from the beach/shoreline prior to the closure of the Causeway following Hurricane’s Helene and Milton.  

Yes, the ordinance only prohibits the launching and retrieving of motorized watercraft from the south side of the Causeway and will not affect the operation of motorized watercraft in the Intracoastal Waterway or the St. Joseph Sound. 

Yes, kayaks, paddleboards and other non-motorized watercraft will still be allowed to launch from the south side of the Causeway in the areas permitted. The ordinance only prohibits the launching and retrieving of motorized watercraft.  

The Dunedin Causeway was closed due to the damage that occurred from the 2024 Hurricanes. Pinellas County has been actively working to repair the damage. Work began in April 2026 and is expected to be completed by December 2026.  

The new ordinance has no impact to the north side of the Causeway. The launching of vessels on the north side was closed by Pinellas County years ago due to environmental damage, erosion, and the cost to constantly make repairs to sensitive environmental areas. This remains in effect.  

According to documentation submitted by the Suncoast Sierra Club, there has been a demonstrable improvement to the aquatic habitat along the Causeway since the prohibition of motorized vessels and personal watercraft. The reintroduction of motorized vessels would reverse habitat improvements and adversely impact the sensitive aquatic ecosystem. 

Dunedin Fire reported that there have been two jet ski fatalities since 2020. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office also reported 80 jet ski-related incidents between January 1, 2022, and April 30, 2026. Banning Causeway beach launching and retrieval of motorized watercraft lowers the risk of collisions with kayakers, paddleboarders and other people in the water.  

There are public and private boat ramps located between 2.8 and 12.8 miles from the Dunedin Causeway. The closest public boat ramp is the Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater which is 6.7 miles away from the Causeway and 3 miles from the Dunedin Marina. A list of public and private boat ramps can be viewed here. 

Yes. The ordinance does not restrict trailers for non-motorized watercraft.

Pinellas County Sheriff will be enforcing the ban. The first interaction is a warning issued by the County Sheriff's Office. If an individual violates the ordinance again, they will receive a class 5 citation, which costs $93 if uncontested, or $138 if contested. Additionally, the City has the option to issue a municipal citation of $500 for repeat offenders, and deputies may also pursue trespassing charges, which could ban an individual from the causeway for a set period, such as a year.  

The City has recently received a proposed 120-unit multi-family project that has been submitted under the State of Florida Live Local Act. 

To qualify under Live-Local, the developer must provide for at least 40% of the project to be affordable as defined in Florida Statutes for a period of at least 30 years. For this request, the developer is initially proposing that all 120-units will be affordable/attainable workforce housing.

This is not Section 8 housing, which is federal tenant-based rental assistance program, whereas Florida’s Live Local Act is a state legislative framework focused on boosting the physical supply of affordable and workforce housing through developer incentives and zoning preemptions.

The project site includes 5 parcels located 381 Patricia Avenue, 401 Patricia Avenue, 403 Patricia Avenue, 407 Patricia Avenue, 1090 Scotsdale Street. HERE is a link to the location in Pinellas County Property Appraiser website. 

The Live Local Program a comprehensive, statewide attainable housing strategy, designed to increase the availability of affordable workforce housing opportunities for Florida’s residents, who desire to live within the communities they serve and work. The Live Local Act was signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023, Senate Bill 102, AKA the Live Local Act became law effective on July 1, 2023.

• The State of Florida Live Local Act pre-empts and/or limits municipalities from applying certain criteria including height and density. 
• The law further requires that any such project may not be subjected to public hearings and must be approved administratively – not by the City Commission.
• The City’s Community Development process for Live Local Act project requires that the developer host a public meeting with residents/businesses in the development area. Residents and business owners will be directly contacted by the developer for details on when and where the meeting will be held.

There are three ways to share your input:

1. Contact the Developer directly for community feedback on the proposed development: RK Development Partners, LLC; reed@rkdevpartners.com
2. Contact the City’s community Development Department on the approval process: 727-298-3192 or 727-298-3199
3. For opposition to the Live Local Act itself – please contact the Governor’s office by calling 850-717-9337. You can recommend to either remove or add additional qualifying language to the Senate Bill 102 reference. The Bill has been modified at least twice since it was initially signed.

There are detailed and robust standards for which the development must comply prior to approval by administrative staff. The Commission does NOT vote on Live Local projects which has been established by the State of Florida. The Live Local Dunedin Community Development administrative approval criteria - including traffic studies, engineering drainage studies, architecture styles, and more - is noted on the city’s webpage at: 

https://www.dunedin.gov/City-Services/Business-Development/Community-and-Economic-Development/Planning  (scroll down to the bottom)

The Marina pier, also known as the fishing pier, sustained significant damage from Hurricane Helene. Piling removal and construction of the new pier are currently awaiting the permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The construction plans for the replacement pier are complete and the contractor for the repair has been selected and approved by the City Commission.  

Restoration work at the Dunedin Marina is continuing to move forward. Construction on the fishing pier will begin once the City of Dunedin receives the required permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

There isn’t a rendering. The new pier at the marina will be an exact rebuild of the old pier.

Piper on the Pier will resume October 10, 2026, at the Bon Appétit pier. 

Yes, the Holiday Boat Parade will be held on December 5, 2026. 

While the boat ramp itself did not sustain damage, the boat ramp was closed for public safety due to the on-going construction at the marina and lack of public parking. 

The City’s goal is to open the boat ramp when construction is complete on the seawalls with new regulations and new fees.  

Weaver Park pier was closed due to damage caused by the 2024 hurricanes and has been deemed unsafe for the public.   

The reconstruction of the Weaver Park pier is eligible for FEMA funding. The city is working through the proper channels to obtain the required permits and grant funding. 

Construction on the Weaver Park pier will begin once the City of Dunedin receives the required permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Safety Harbor was already in the process of replacing its pier and marina docks prior to the hurricanes in 2026. The replacement design of the Safety Harbor pier began in August 2022, and permits were received in June 2024. When the Hurricane Helene destroyed the pier in 2024, Safety Harbor was ready for construction and further along in the replacement process and waiting for FEMA approved funding before starting construction.   

Weaver Park Living Shoreline project aims to create a more resilient and sustainable shoreline along Weaver Park. This is a strategic approach to address shoreline erosion by establishing a living shoreline that allows mangroves, sea grasses and other native plans to naturally strengthen the shoreline overtime, as opposed to a seawall that weakens overtime.  
 
Learn more about the Living Shoreline project here.   

Construction on the Weaver Park pier will begin once the City of Dunedin receives the required permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. There isn’t an estimated reopening date at this time as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting can take years.