Visitors to one of the most gorgeous southern California beach towns might find their day at the water interrupted if they chose to violate the city’s new “umbrellas only” rule.

A new Laguna Beach ordinance that goes into effect May 26, bans any structures “larger than standard beach umbrellas” at most beaches in the area.

The update to the city’s municipal code states that only umbrella-style shade coverings will be allowed at almost all the beaches in the city. Anything other than an umbrella is prohibited at the beaches, unless given permission by the city manager. 

And violating the rule is going to be costly, with officials saying people could be fined up to $500 if they break the law, per a social media post.

Things like tents, canopies, and easy-ups are prohibited, except for designated areas on Main Beach and Aliso Beach, the city said in the post.

And in the case of shade coverings at those two beaches, they must not be larger than eight feet in width by eight feet in depth by six feet in height, per the city. 

These also can only be put up in certain designated zones. 

The rule states that authorized coverings can’t interfere with the lifeguard’s ability to see the ocean or adjacent lifeguard towers. The coverings also must not be set up within 20 feet of emergency and public access pathways to the beach.

In addition, if you are going to put up an umbrella it can’t be located within five feet of another person’s covering, per officials.

Shade coverings will be allowed at beach adjacent parks within the city but those also cannot exceed the 8x8x6 dimensions, unless approved, per the code.

The city also stated that beachgoers will relocate their shade coverings if requested by Police Department staff, Marine Safety Department staff, or other authorized City personnel.

The rule states that beachgoers are also prohibited from setting up any volleyball nets or court on any beach within the city, unless they have sought and been given permission by officials.

The Post reached out to the city for further comment.

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Several residents voiced their displeasure with the new rule in comments on the Laguna Beach Government Instagram post.

“Apparently I am out of the loop, but who asked for this? What safety concern was caused by small beach tents that isn’t equally caused by large beach umbrellas?” said Instagram user Alexander Higginbotham.

“I have never heard of them causing a concern at any other beach in Orange County. Now you are asking people to go and buy new beach equipment with money they do not have, store it in space they do not have, and lug large umbrellas onto the beach. Our little beach tent folds into a bag smaller than my arm. It’s simple, it’s cheap, it’s easy to carry and store, and it provides some much needed shade. A complete ban on most beaches and crowding everyone else into tiny little areas seems completely disproportionate to whatever problem apparently existed,” Higginbotham added.

Spencer and Ashley Samuelian added, “Laguna Beach city has turned into a giant HOA on steroids,” though others wanted the measure to go a step further.

“Finallyyyy, now ban speakers of any kind,” added Bri Fernandez, a sentiment echoed by many others on the post.

Moneterey Magnet Man echoed with, “Bluetooth speakers next plz!!” while Maddie Sullivan added, “Amplified music next!”

Stella Bridge added, “What? Why? This is nonsense if I want to go to the beach with something bigger than a regular Sunshade? Unbelievable.”

Jill Bush chimed in with, “RESIDENTS FIRST! Thank you @lagunabeachgov for doing this! Not only for the residents but for the lifeguards and the safety issues and hopefully this may cut down on trash on our beaches too!”

Still, others voiced concerns about whether this measure will actually be enforced on the beach or not, like David Phillips, who said, “Let’s see if it’s actually enforced.”