It is strictly regulated.
Metal detecting in Florida’s public parks is permitted only under stringent state and local laws, primarily governed by Florida Statutes §267.061 and county-specific ordinances. While not outright banned, unauthorized metal detecting often violates historic preservation statutes, as most parks contain protected archaeological resources. The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources enforces compliance, and recent 2026 amendments to §267.12 further restrict activities in state parks, requiring permits for any ground-disturbing searches. Violations may result in fines up to $5,000 or criminal charges under Florida’s Archaeological Resources Protection Act.
Key Regulations for Metal Detecting in Public Parks in Florida
- Historic Preservation Compliance: Metal detecting is prohibited in state parks and most municipal parks without a permit from the Florida Department of State, as artifacts are considered protected archaeological resources under §267.061(1)(a).
- Local Ordinance Variability: Counties like Miami-Dade and Palm Beach enforce additional restrictions, often requiring written permission from park management before any metal detecting activity, even in non-state parks.
- Artifact Retention & Reporting: Any discovered items of historical significance must be reported to authorities; failure to do so constitutes a misdemeanor under §267.12(3), with penalties escalating for concealment or removal of artifacts.