Rehoboth talks beach regulations for canopies, toilets

Setting up a canopy or grilling on the beach in Rehoboth might change with a series of new regulations being proposed by the city commissioners.

At a city commissioners meeting on Jan. 9, the commissioners debated how the city should handle the use of a wide variety of large canopies — large umbrellas, awnings, baby tents, play pens as well as personal bathrooms to name a few.

"Over the years, constituents have come to me and complained about the use of canopies on the beach," commissioner Stan Mills said. "We need to take a look at the situation."

A factor facing the new regulations is the sight line of the ocean not only for lifeguards on the beach but also those who are on the boardwalk.

Mills explained since beach nourishment has increased the size of the beach, the canopies which used to not be in people's sight lines are now inhibiting people's views from the boardwalk.

The canopies on the beach block airflow and could also hide people who wish to consume alcohol on the beaches, Mills added.

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Rehoboth Beach Mayor Sam Cooper, speaking on behalf of Rehoboth Police Chief Keith Banks and Rehoboth Beach Patrol Captain Kent Buckson, said both believe regulations need to be passed to control canopies on the beach.

To go along with the use of awnings and canopies on the beach, the commissioners also discussed the use of personal toilets people are bringing to the beach.

Mills said he has had several beach-goers come up to him and say they are concerned about the use of personal toilets on the beach, which are enclosed tents often complete with a shower and a toilet.

"How do we know what is going on in there," Mills asked. "Where is it going? Our beaches are not a campsite. Why are we allowing this?"

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Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Chamber of Commerce President Carol Everhart, who was in attendance at the meeting, said she has received many complaints from visitors about the toilets.

Mills also presented the issue of people cooking on the beaches, which he said is a problem because it is now allowed at all without a permit.

A large issue with bonfires and people cooking on the beach is the safety hazard it poses for others on the beach, Mills said, and the fumes from the grills often times get trapped in the canopies lining the beaches.

"Get rid of all unpermitted bonfires," commissioner Patrick Gossett said. "If you want to go with permitting fires, there needs to be permits."

There was a consensus among those on the board to come to a solution as soon as possible to notify those coming to Rehoboth in the summer of 2017.

A vote is forthcoming on these matters.

"There are no simple solutions to a lot of these," Mills said.

rghughes@dmg.gannett.com

On Twitter @hughesg19