A SURPRISING item is now banned at a popular US beach destination.

This summer, beach visitors will have to minimize their gear, following a city’s announcement of new restrictions on what can be taken to the beach, starting now.

Officials in Ocean City, Maryland, voted to ban select tents and canopies that the public can bring to Ocean City Beach.

Vacationers will only be allowed to set up baby tents, but are prohibited from setting up any other types of tents.

Certain-sized canopies will also be restricted, local CBS affiliate WJZ reported.

Canopies are restricted to 10-by-10 feet and must be at least three feet apart from each other. 

The new measure also prohibits canopies from being left unattended before 10 am. 

Captain Butch Arbin of the Ocean City Beach Patrol informed the media that the purpose behind the new regulations is to ensure lifeguards have an unobstructed view of those swimming and sunbathing.

In recent years, officials have noticed an increasing number of tents and canopies blocking lifeguards’ views. 

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan stated, “We noticed large canopies and enclosed tents obstructing the views for others who were trying to enjoy the beach, and these setups limited available space for people to move around.”

“Our beaches are extremely popular, they get very crowded, and we want to make sure everybody has an opportunity to enjoy the beach,” he added. 

On the announcement for the new tent restrictions, the Town of Ocean City wrote that the “ordinance aims to enhance safety, improve visibility, and ensure a more enjoyable experience for all beachgoers.”

“We realize that canopies are important for sun protection,” Meehan stated in the announcement.

“We just want to make sure that what we’re not doing is making it so other people can’t enjoy their time out on the beach as well.”

The changes also aim to reduce crowding during peak beach season.

The announcement stated that the beach is following suit of nearby destinations that previously banned tents.

Delaware’s Rehoboth Beach banned tents, canopies, grills, and campfires back in 2017.

The ordinance was meant to prevent “tent cities” from forming, CBS News previously reported.

“We’ve seen people get in arguments over them,” Kent Buckson, captain of Rehoboth Beach Patrol, said. 

“Some use them to illegally smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol on the beach and even set up toilets inside them. 

“And it’s a problem that’s been getting worse over the last couple of seasons.”

Delaware’s ordinance only allowed umbrellas up to 7 feet, 6 inches.