Residents press Dewey Beach to tighten canopy rules to protect beach access

Residents raised safety concerns about oversized portable canopies and extended arms that can block beach access and create hazards for lifeguards. One resident described seeing multiple canopies placed in a row and asked the town to require that all stake lines and canopy footprints stay within a defined area; the resident urged distances between canopies so pathways to the water remain clear.

Commissioners said they planned to refer the matter to the charter code review committee for further study and public comment. "We actually we have a process for doing this... They check what other municipalities have done with respect to all these types of things, and then come up with a recommendation," Commissioner Gary Persinger said, arguing a public-review process would let the town develop clearer, consistent rules with neighboring municipalities.