Gulf County, FL Moves to Replace Its Sexual Predator Ordinance: We Need Your Help

The Gulf County Board of County Commissioners has scheduled a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would repeal and replace the county’s current Sexual Predator Ordinance. The notice says the new ordinance would set residency restrictions for both sexual predators and sex offenders. That could mean the restrictions reach people the current ordinance doesn’t cover. The notice also lists new definitions, enforcement, and penalties.

First Public Hearing:
Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern)
Donald H. Butler Commissioner Chamber and Meeting Room
Robert M. Moore Administration Building, Gulf County Courthouse Complex, Port St. Joe, Florida
1000 Cecil G. Costin Sr. Blvd., Port St. Joe, FL 32456 (Behind the Courthouse)

A second reading and public hearing will be scheduled after the first.

The notice doesn’t include the text of the proposed ordinance, so we can’t tell yet how far the new restrictions go: the buffer distances, which places count, whether there are grandfather provisions, or who would be affected. The only copy is available for inspection weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

Office of the Clerk of Court
Gulf County Courthouse
1000 C.G. Costin, Sr., Blvd., Room 149
Port St. Joe, FL 32456

If you live in or near Gulf County, please go to the Clerk’s office, ask for a copy of the proposed ordinance, and send it to FAC at [email protected]. A photo or scan of each page is fine. Once we have the text, we can review it before the November 24 hearing and help prepare comments for the Commission.

Anyone may appear and be heard at the hearing. If you plan to attend or speak, please let us know first so we can coordinate.