ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (WKRG) — From oceanside picnic setups to sandcastle building lessons, beach businesses are everywhere in Orange Beach. But under a proposed city ordinance, the tides may be turning.

The ordinance would prohibit commercial activity on, in or around the beaches, waterways, shorelines or water access points within the city’s corporate limits or police jurisdiction, according to a city council meeting agenda.

The proposal is leaving business owners like Angel Bennett behind the concierge service, The Beach Moms, scrambling for answers.

“That definitely caught my attention. I was like, ‘Wait a minute, what’s this mean?'” Bennett said. “The beach is everything to my business.”

“I was shocked,” she added. “Beach weddings and picnics are a significant part of our revenue, and I live here in Orange Beach. I have for the last 10 years. This is how I make my living.”

The future is just as murky for Sand Castle University owner Janel Hawkins.

“I was concerned. I’m frustrated. I cleared my schedule for today. This is my plan A, B, C and D,” Hawkins said. “I want to make sure that I can still do business here.”

City officials said their goal is to protect the natural beauty of Orange Beach and ensure the shorelines don’t become overcrowded with commercial activity.

“As the number of citizens and visitors within the City grows, so does the number of requests to operate businesses, including businesses operating from our beaches, shorelines and waterways,” an excerpt from the proposed ordinance reads. “The City desires to protect our natural resources and maintain the high aesthetic values which current citizens, visitors and business owners expect and enjoy.

“Allowing the operation of businesses from our beaches, shorelines and waterways would negatively impact the quiet enjoyment of the natural environment, and would create health and safety concerns as these businesses attempt to operate in waters and shorelines already crowded with tourists and residents enjoying the beauty of the area,” the ordinance continues.

“I really, really do want to protect our beaches and do everything in our power to do that, but I want them to know if they are not careful about how they write this, that it would negatively impact many, many businesses,” Hawkins said.

Both business owners told WKRG News 5 they’re hoping to get clarification soon on how this proposal could impact the future of their business.

The Orange Beach City Council is expected to discuss the ordinance at Wednesday’s council meeting, but they don’t plan on voting on it just yet. The ordinance will be up for further discussion and open to public comments before any final decisions are made in the upcoming weeks.