Your next trip to the beach in Palm Beach County could come with a parking bill.
County leaders are weighing a proposal that would end free parking at every county-operated beach, expanding paid parking from just two locations to all 14 beach parks as officials search for new revenue to help balance the FY2027 budget.
If approved, drivers would pay at least $4 per hour to park at 12 additional beach parks, including Dubois Park, Carlin Park, Juno Beach Park, Phil Foster Park, Coral Cove Park, Jupiter Beach Park, Ocean Cay Park, Loggerhead Park, Ocean Reef Park, Ocean Inlet Park, Ocean Ridge Hammock Park and Gulfstream Park.
Currently, only R.G. Kreusler Park near the Lake Worth Beach Casino and South Inlet Park in Boca Raton charge for parking.
County officials estimate the expanded parking program would generate about $7.5 million annually, helping offset budget pressures for the fiscal year that begins in October.
To soften the impact, the county is considering a 20% discount for Palm Beach County residents and is exploring annual parking passes for frequent beachgoers.
The proposal remains under discussion as part of the county’s FY2027 budget process and is not yet final. County commissioners are expected to cast the final vote on the budget Sept. 15.
If approved, the move would mark one of the biggest changes to beach access in years, replacing one of Palm Beach County’s longtime perks — free parking — with a pay-to-park system at nearly every county-run beach.
