A vote was made on Monday, January 12, 2026, for the new beach parking fees in Sunset Beach. This vote was to decide the parking fees and dates and times for imposing the fees in public parking areas of Sunset Beach.
What are the New Beach Parking Rates for Sunset Beach in 2026?
The Sunset Beach Town Council voted to keep the 2026 rates the same as the 2025 rates. Paid parking dates run from April 1 to October 31, between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. Outside of these dates and times, public parking will be free.
The current rate is $5 per hour with a limit of three hours. If you need to park for the entire day, the fee is $20. Weekly parking is $80, and for those who park frequently, the seasonal fee is $175 per vehicle for visitors to Sunset Beach.
Is there a Special Parking Rate for People Who Live in Sunset Beach?
Property owners in Sunset Beach who pay property taxes to Sunset Beach are eligible for two free seasonal beach parking passes a year. The company handling parking fees has shared that resident permits are going to be automatically renewed for residents with a permit in 2025. These residential permits will be available on February 1st.
If a Sunset Beach homeowner did not apply for the free permit last year, they need to register with Otto Connect, the parking compnay for their permit.
Important Information About Permits
If you have changed your address, purchased a new car, or have a new license plate between last parking season and this one, the parking company needs to be contacted with the new information. If this information is not up to date, it could result in parking fines issued for invalid permits.
New Permit Discount Changes
Previously, seasonal permits were offered at a discount to any resident in Sunset Beach. Since the city has moved to offering free permits, these permits are only issued to property owners paying property taxes in Sunset Beach. Free permits will not be issued to those who are renting.
Fines for Parking Violations
There will be a $50 fee per parking violation during the paid parking dates and times. Simple violations like parking in a designated paid space without paying will be discounted to $25 if the fee is paid the same day that it is issued.
New Changes to Parking and Fees
The city council talked about the idea of reducing the price of a seasonal parking pass in 2026 from one $175 down to $100. However, the company overseeing paid parking, Otto Connect, recommended that the city not make the changes, and the council opted to keep the seasonal pass at the same price for 2026 as it was in 2025.
The vice president of operations for Otto Connect. Had this to share with a local news outlet about why they advised against changing fees and dates for paid parking in Sunset Beach in 2026.
“Planning for 2026, we recommend no changes,” Irons said. “For the first two years of paid parking, we like to see how it goes. … I think if we add or subtract dates, if we change rates — it can get a little bit confusing. We want to see where everything lines up every year. So, let’s take the first two years, sit down and reflect at the end of this one … and see if there’s anything that we can do after that.”
The town had a meeting on January 7 to discuss the cost of the parking structure for paid spaces and discovered that it is costing more money than it is bringing in. However, the mayor of Sunset Beach said that taxpayers have already paid to improve the island and made a motion to maintain last year’s parking fee rates and dates through this year.
Additionally, Main Street parking will open back up for the 2026 season, bringing more spaces available for parking in Sunset Beach. On 40th St., it has been decided that the parking will go back to a parallel parking structure to keep things safer for those operating vehicles.
If you are considering a home purchase in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, it is good to know the details of the cost of living in Sunset Beach. Parking fees are one of those Huckeba important details. If you purchase a home within the Sunset Beach property tax boundaries, you will receive free parking as long as you apply for a permit. It is one of the small benefits of becoming a property owner in Sunset Beach.
When you are ready to buy a Sunset Beach home, the team at Sunset Beach and Beyond is here to help you find the best home that fits you and your needs without making any buyer mistakes that you might later regret. You want an experienced Sunset Beach real estate agent at your side who knows the details of searching for homes in the right places in Sunset Beach to help you find exactly what you are looking for. We are ready to help you make your relocation to Sunset Beach as seamless and informative as possible.
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