Beach parking: What to know as summer tourist season approaches

Some things have changed at the beaches since last summer, but one coastal constant is back now that May has arrived: The time to pay for parking is nigh.

That's not entirely true for some beach towns, though, where you can find coveted free spots if you're willing to walk a bit.

But for most people trekking to southern Delaware and Ocean City, Maryland, to spend time on the beach, the most convenient and accessible places to park will require payment.

Most popular beach spots have meters that accept change, credit cards or payment through the ParkMobile phone app.

There's also public transportation. 

Visitors to Ocean City from the west can park for free at the West Ocean City Park & Ride on Route 50 and take a shuttle into the town. The shuttle service costs $3 to ride all day. Ocean City also offers a bus service that runs from downtown to Delaware state line.

In Delaware, there are two Park & Ride locations: The Lewes Park & Ride near Five Points at 17616 Coastal Highway and the Rehoboth Beach Park & Ride at Del. 1 and Shuttle Road.

The cost for the park and rides, which can be covered through the free DART Transit app, has not changed since 2018. Parking at the Lewes Park & Ride is free, while it costs $10 at Rehoboth but comes with free daily passes for passengers. Bus fees run $2 for a one-way pass, $4.20 for an all-day pass, $18 for a seven-day pass, or $65 for a 30-day pass.

For those who'd rather sit through the beach traffic and deal with downtown parking meters, here's a breakdown of parking rules from Ocean City north to Lewes.

Ocean City

While most beach towns don’t begin charging for parking until mid-May, paid parking went into effect in the Maryland resort town on April 1, and  continues through Oct. 1.

Parking at the Inlet Lot in downtown Ocean City costs $3 per hour while street and municipal parking at other town lots from downtown to 100th Street is $2 per hour.

The resort has switched to pay by plate parking so you will need to enter your license plate while paying at the kiosks located at the parking lots. Payment can be made by quarters, credit cards or ParkMobile app.

Fenwick Island

Like its closest beach neighbors, Fenwick Island also offers free parking until May 15. 

Parking permits are required from May 15 to Sept. 15 and can be purchased at the police department at 800 Coastal Highway. Permits cost $20 for a daily pass, $120 for a weekly pass or $400 for the summer season, according to Fenwick Island's website.

South Bethany

There are no parking meters in South Bethany and parking permits are usually available with a rental home. Handicapped-accessible parking is available on Ocean Drive and South 3rd Street.

Permits are not required until May 15. 

Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach operates a similar schedule to Dewey, which means parking is free until May 15, according to Bethany Beach's website.

After then, people will have to wait until Sept. 15 for parking to be free again. 

Meters in this beach town run $2 per hour while parking permit costs range from $27 to $183.

Delaware Seashore State Park

As part of the Delaware state parks system, the beaches at Delaware Seashore State Park between Dewey and Bethany offer seaside parking options as part of the parks entrance fee.

This beach option will cost $5 a day for Delaware residents or $10 a day for out-of-state visitors. Annual passes also are available for $35 for residents or $70 for nonresidents. Discounts are available for seniors.

Dewey Beach

For two more weeks, parking in Dewey Beach also is free.

Starting May 15, parking meters and permits are in effect from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. until Sept. 15. Permits range from $10 for a one-day weekday pass to $200 for a seasonal pass and $2 an hour for the meter.

Permits can be purchased at Town Hall at 105 Rodney Ave. or at the kiosk in front of Town Hall.

Parking is always free in Dewey Monday through Wednesday from 5-11 p.m. 

Rehoboth Beach

For a few more weeks, parking in Rehoboth Beach is free.

Parking meters throughout the city do not go live until the Friday before Memorial Day (May 24), when they will increase to $3 an hour in the most prime seaside spots on Rehoboth, Baltimore and Wilmington avenues. All other meters in the city will remain $2 an hour from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the second Sunday after Labor Day.

Parking permits follow the same schedule. Their cost has increased $10 to $90 for weekly passes. All non-metered spots will require a permit starting May 24.

Lewes

Parking meters throughout the city and its beaches are in effect from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 1 through Oct. 14, according to the city's web page.

This year, parking fees at Beach No. 1 and Beach No. 2 on Savannah Road increased to $2 per hour. Feeding the meter at these beaches ends on Sept. 30, about two weeks earlier than other Lewes parking spots.

The following locations have meters that cost $1 per hour: 1812 Park, Canalfront Park, Second Street, Market Street, Bank Street, Front Street and the lot on 3rd Street.

Credit cards are not accepted at the side-street parking meters.

Free parking is available at Otis Smith Park on Savannah Road at the corner of Schley and Franklin avenues.

Delmarva Now contributed to this report

Contact reporter Maddy Lauria at (302) 345-0608, mlauria@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @MaddyinMilford.

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