Local Galveston Laws and Customs (2024)

FAQs

What are the rules on Galveston beaches? ›

Using FBI crime statistics the site ranked the Church Street neighborhood the 21st most dangerous in the country. That area is roughly bound by Harborside to the north, Broadway to the south, 26th street on the west and 19th street on the east.

Alcohol. To ensure the safety of visitors and encourage more families to frequent Galveston Island beaches, the City of Galveston and the Galveston Park Board of Trustees have cooperatively banned alcohol consumption from most public beaches and the Seawall, with the exception of licensed concession areas.

By the end of 1836, about 60 families and over 100 buildings populated the new town. Galveston incorporated in 1839. Being the only deep water port between New Orleans and Tampico, Mexico, Galveston supplied Texas and the western United States with essential goods that fueled development of the entire nation.

In Galveston, Texas, you can be slapped with a fine of up to $500 just for sitting on the sidewalk. According to the rules, "It shall be unlawful for any person to sit or lie down on a sidewalk or on a blanket, stool, or any other object placed upon a sidewalk."

The curfew restricts those younger than 15 from being out from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students 15 to younger than 17 are not allowed out from midnight to 5 a.m. and from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Council votes on renewing the curfew every three years.

Hot and Humid Weather

The summers are hot and humid. There is also a hurricane season in Galveston that lasts from June to November (probably during the monsoon season).

Texas Beach Watch (Enterococcus Bacteria)

The bacteria is common in rain runoff and levels often spike after periods of heavy rain.

Galveston leaders have an idea of how many homeless are on the island. Federal numbers show about 320 were counted earlier this year, but they don't know why they're here or why the number keeps growing.

The Galveston City Council has passed a new ordinance that smoking must take place 10ft away from any public doors. The change calls for an additional 5ft of distance as the previous Clean Air Rules ordinance stated that individuals must be at least 5ft away from any public door.

Can you sleep on the beach in Galveston? ›

Galveston Only Allows Beach Camping In Designated Areas

To overnight beach camp in Galveston, you would need to be in one of the designated beachfront campsites located in Galveston Island State Park and on the Bolivar Peninsula.

Camping on all Galveston beaches is prohibited from 12am-5am. Additionally, there is no overnight parking allowed on Seawall Blvd. The only designated place to camp on Galveston Island is at the Galveston Island State Park.

Founded in 1838, Galveston established prosperity through a natural deep-water port, expansion of trade routes throughout the region, and development of industry, such as cotton, in the decades leading up to the Great Storm of 1900.

In Galveston history, due to its combination of commerce and immigration, Galveston became one of the region's fastest growing cities and is credited with an impressive list of Texas firsts—first courthouse, post office, opera house, hospital, golf course, bakery, grocery story, drug store, and telephone.

Since the early 20th century, Galveston has been popularly known as the 'Oleander City' because of a long history of cultivating Nerium oleander, a subtropical evergreen shrub which thrives on the island.

To protect wildlife and to keep our beaches clean, the "Leave No Trace" ordinance is strictly enforced from Spring Break until Labor Day. The Leave No Trace ordinance (N. 19-017 Sec. 8-27) prohibits leaving items such as canopies and miscellaneous beach gear unattended between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

Galveston Only Allows Beach Camping In Designated Areas

To overnight beach camp in Galveston, you would need to be in one of the designated beachfront campsites located in Galveston Island State Park and on the Bolivar Peninsula.

The areas we know alcohol is allowed are: East Beach/Apffel Park, Porretto Beach, and west of 61^st to 16 Mile Road. Off road vehicles like ATV's, dirt bikes, etc.…

The following are NOT allowed on Jamaica Beach: Glass containers. Alcohol.