Why going to the beach might cost more this year in Ocean City and Delaware

Even though summer may be a polar vortex or two away, it's never too early to plan a beach-bound vacation.

But when budgeting for a trip to Ocean City, Rehoboth Beach or other resort destinations along the coast, keep in mind you may have to pay a little extra to visit your favorite beach town this year.

From hotel taxes to dog poop fines, many Delmarva municipalities have either proposed or approved fee increases for 2019 that will affect tourists and businesses.

Some residents will have their share of bulked-up rates, too. So whether you're trying to park or pay that water bill, use this guide to know where to look for this year's increases.

Ocean City

Visitors to Ocean City may see a slight increase to their hotel bills in the near future.

The Ocean City Town Council is considering a small increase to the town’s hotel room tax, bumping it up from 4.5 percent to 5 percent.

Officials say this increase would help cover expenses in the town’s general fund, as well as advertising and marketing efforts. The general fund includes services, such as public safety, public works, solid waste, recreation, tourism and special events.

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While the beach town’s room tax has not yet been increased, the mayor and council will discuss the change at future meetings. It is unclear whether the tax increase would be put into effect at the start of the next fiscal year on July 1 or at the beginning of 2020.

Background:Staying in Ocean City hotels could soon become more expensive

The 0.5 percent tax increase is expected to yield about $1.37 million in revenue each fiscal year. If Ocean City officials were to implement the change in January, the extra revenue generated for the next fiscal year would only be about $500,000.

It's likely the room tax change will not occur until next year, since many hotel rooms for summer 2019 have already been booked, officials said.

"This is not a significant cost increase to vacationers," Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said. "But it will help us to continue to provide a clean, safe environment by allowing us to cover the cost of providing police, lifeguards and other essential services."

Fenwick Island

Fee changes for Fenwick Island residents and visitors are still up in the air.

Officials of the small beach town are currently putting together the budget for next year, so final decisions regarding fee changes have not been made. At the end of January, Town Manager Terry Tieman said they were not certain if any rate increases were necessary.

"At the present time, we are not anticipating any rate increases," Tieman wrote in an email.

While the town may not make any fee changes, surf fishers visiting Fenwick Island State Park will see an increase in the cost of vehicle permits.

Background:Delaware surf fishing fees to increase, permits capped at 17,000

Surf fishing permits will go up by $10, totaling $90, and out-of-state users, who account for nearly one-fourth of permit holders, will pay $20 more at $180. The permits provide access to all Delaware state parks for the year.

The governor’s parks and recreation advisory council voted recently to raise prices and limit the number of permits that can be purchased annually.

Rehoboth Beach

Expect to pay more when you visit Rehoboth this summer.

The seaside city is millions of dollars short to fund a slew of promised projects it wants rolled out for the next several years. To pay for it, officials are looking at cost increases for services across town. Some changes are still being fleshed out. Others are guaranteed.

Visitors will pay some of those increased costs, including for parking. Weekly permit fees will rise from $80 to $90, on top of a two-week extension to the permit season. Parking meter rates will be a little higher, depending on where and when you park. But parking between 10 p.m. to midnight is now free, which officials hope will invite more late-night business.

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Background: Rehoboth Beach parking: 5 changes for this summer and beyond

You may also pay more for hotel stays. Officials are considering taxing the room rate, tentatively at 3 percent. The tax can only happen with approval from the General Assembly.

Rehoboth Beach Mayor Paul Kuhns said he is working with House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, to change the town charter this session so that Rehoboth can begin taxing its hotels by July. The state currently collects an 8-percent hotel tax in Rehoboth Beach.

Hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts can also no longer purchase transferable parking passes for their guests at a significant discount. They used to be able to pay $30 as opposed to $250, but officials voted in January to eliminate the discount.

Residents get their own package of increased costs this year. They’re safe to expect water and wastewater fees hikes to pay off debt to their city’s treated wastewater ocean outfall system. Seasonal and year-round residents can also expect higher trash pickup costs.

Background: Rehoboth budget woes could spark fee hikes, higher taxes

The city is also considering stormwater fees, rental tax increases and property tax increases. For the latter, Rehoboth is looking at targeting “second homeowners” with higher property taxes. Commissioner Pat Coluzzi told fellow officials this month that municipalities in other states, such as Florida, have similar mechanisms for “non-residents” who don’t live there year-round.

Officials have until mid-March to decide which costs it wants to increase, and by how much. After an early budget meeting in January, the mayor told Delmarva Now that “anything’s possible” for new revenue measures.

Bethany Beach

It's unclear whether non-residents can expect to pay more when visiting Bethany this summer.

Residents can expect some increased costs. The town is considering a property tax increase starting in April. Bethany Beach Treasurer Jerry Morris said the town may also alter business and rental license fees.

The town is reviewing its water fees, but officials said they don't plan to increase them. Rental taxes will stay at 7 percent.

“We’re not ready to discuss specific numbers yet,” said Janet Connery, the town finance director. “We have no other changes planned.”

The town is replacing its parking pay machines, but officials say they will charge the same amount. Visitors can expect to use credit cards and the mobile app they’re used to using. For beachgoers, the $2-per-hour parking and other parking permit rates will stay the same, officials say.

Dog-walkers will have to pay more, but only if they don’t clean up when their four-legged friends do their business. Unlawful pet owners used to have to pay up to $75 for not following the town policy. The new fine is $100 for the first offense and $200 for any offense after that.

South Bethany

Lovers of this little beach town don’t have much to worry about.

"Everything (this summer) is going to remain the same as it was before," said town finance director Renee McDorman. "To my knowledge, the fees are not going to change this year."

That includes parking permit fees and the property tax rate. Visitors will be more assured after Feb. 28, when the town council reviews its budget draft. Next fiscal year starts in May.

But the summer after this one could be a different story. The town is thinking about requiring parking permits townwide to park on side-streets in 2020. The current permit costs $20 per day for visitors.

South Bethany is also considering increasing parking ticket fines. But McDorman said she doesn’t expect them to increase this summer.

Dewey Beach

Folks who opt for one of Dewey Beach's hotels this summer might face a 1 percent tax hike. Delaware's accommodation tax stands at 8 percent and is broken up by 5 percent for the state and 1 percent each for beach replenishment, state tourism and county tourism. 

Since Dewey Beach doesn't benefit from the state-imposed tax, commissioners may vote on a new town lodging tax as early as February, bringing the total fee to 9 percent. 

Last year, Dewey Beach increased its metered parking to $2 an hour, falling in line with other resort town rates. Dewey Beach has no current plans to increase other town fees for this year, according to Commissioner Paul Bauer.

Lewes

Surf fishers bound for Cape Henlopen State Park will face the recently approved vehicle permit hike and cap that goes into effect Feb. 1.

Lewes is still going over its budget, so city officials say they haven't discussed fee increases for this year — yet.

This story will be updated as towns continue to discuss budgets into the spring.

Reach reporter Taylor Goebel at tgoebel@delmarvanow.com or on Twitter @TaylorGoebel. Reach reporter Sara Swann at sswann@delmarvanow.com or on Twitter @saramswann. Reach reporter Sarah Gamard at sgamard@delmarvanow.com or on Twitter @SarahGamard.