Dogs are banned from public beaches, including Smathers and Higgs, except in an area the city has specifically designated for them. The only such off-leash beach is Vernon Street Beach, a separate, smaller location on the other side of the island.
Drinking from or possessing an open alcoholic beverage container on city-owned property, including the beaches, is banned.
Open, wood or charcoal fueled fires are banned on the beach, with a narrow exception for self-contained gas heating devices. No fires of any kind are permitted during sea turtle nesting season.
Launching or landing a drone in any city park, preserve or shoreline water is banned, aside from medical, law enforcement or government aircraft.
Smoking and vaping are banned on all city-owned public beaches and parks, with unfiltered cigars exempted.
Not verified here
We have not verified this rule for this beach yet. Check with the city before you rely on it.
We have not verified this rule for this beach yet. Check with the city before you rely on it.
We have not verified this rule for this beach yet. Check with the city before you rely on it.
We have not verified this rule for this beach yet. Check with the city before you rely on it.
We have not verified this rule for this beach yet. Check with the city before you rely on it.
Source: City of Key West Code of Ordinances (Chapter 10 Animals, Sec. 18-87 Alcohol, Sec. 90-40 Fires, Ordinance No. 866 Drones, 2023 smoking ordinance) — governs both Smathers Beach and Higgs Beach; Fort Zachary Taylor is a separate state park not covered here · checked 2026-09-10. Rules change by ordinance and by season. When it matters, confirm with the posted signs.
Dogs at Key West: Dogs are banned from public beaches, including Smathers and Higgs, except in an area the city has specifically designated for them. The only such off-leash beach is Vernon Street Beach, a separate, smaller location on the other side of the island. Not allowed at Key West: dogs, alcohol, fires & grills, drones, smoking. Checked against City of Key West Code of Ordinances (Chapter 10 Animals, Sec. 18-87 Alcohol, Sec. 90-40 Fires, Ordinance No. 866 Drones, 2023 smoking ordinance) — governs both Smathers Beach and Higgs Beach; Fort Zachary Taylor is a separate state park not covered here on 2026-09-10. Rules we have not verified for Key West are marked as such rather than guessed on the beach rules page.