Hotel vs City Over Beach Ownership | Tampa News

A Florida hotel owner is locked in a federal court battle with St. Pete Beach over who owns a stretch of sand — claiming private property rights, the city counters with decades of public access under the “customary use” doctrine. Beachgoers are split: some see it as a threat to public enjoyment, others accept it as a hotel’s right to designate guest zones. This isn’t new for the owner — he was arrested last July for scattering mothballs to scare off nesting birds. No trial date yet, but this legal showdown underscores the tension between private ownership and public beach access — a national treasure at stake. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/351937c91c8341a1