News Release

New Beach Parking Fees Begin March 1, 2025

Island Residents Within Town Limits Can Park for Free

February 24, 2025

Starting March 1, 2025, Hilton Head Island residents with a parking permit can enjoy free parking at all Town beach parks. Visitors will be required to pay for parking at all locations except Coligny Beach Park.

The Hilton Head Island Town Council approved an ordinance outlining new parking fees for Town-managed beach parks in October 2024 as part of a broader initiative to enhance parking management and improve experiences for residents and visitors. “This decision reflects our commitment to providing a positive and well-managed environment at our public beach parks,” said Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry. “Our extensive research and due diligence in exploring beach parking regulations throughout South Carolina led us to a feasible solution that supports the needs of our community and will help us continue to enhance and sustain our parks.”

Parking fees will be $3 per hour, Monday through Friday, with a maximum daily charge of $15 per vehicle. Parking fees on Saturdays and Sundays will be a flat daily rate of $20 per vehicle.

Parking fees will be enforced daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the peak beach season of March 1 through September 7. Visitors will pay online through a digital parking application accessed through their phones. Cash payments will no longer be accepted. Failure to pay or other parking violations will result in citations and fines ranging from $50 to $500.

These parking fees will apply at the following beach parks:

• Alder Lane Beach Park (2 Woodward Avenue)
• Driessen Beach Park (64 Bradley Beach Road)
• Fish Haul Beach Park (124 Mitchelville Road)
• Folly Field Beach Park (55 Starfish Drive)
• Islanders Beach Park (94 Folly Field Road)

Free parking for youth recreational sports will remain available at Chaplin Community Park (Burkes Beach). Beach parking fees will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning May 19 and through September 7, following the end of the youth sports season.

“The new parking fees aim to support our resources as we keep our public beaches well-maintained, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone,” said Town Manager Marc Orlando.

Failure to pay for parking, not parking in a designated space, or other parking violations will result in the following citations and/or fines:

• First violation - a written warning and/or a fine of $50 and notification of potential for vehicle towing or immobilization for any future violations.
• Second violation - a fine of $100 and possible vehicle towing or immobilization at the owner’s expense.
• Third violation - a fine of $250 and mandatory towing or immobilization of the vehicle at the owner’s expense.
• Fourth and any subsequent violations - a fine of $500 and mandatory towing or immobilization of the vehicle at the owner’s expense.
• A $25 late fee will apply to any original fine not paid within 30 days of issuance, and the Town or the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office may also tow, immobilize, or impound any vehicle if deemed necessary for public safety purposes.

Hilton Head Island residents who maintain primary residency within Town boundaries can receive free parking permits for up to two vehicles per household. These permits allow access to non-handicapped parking spaces at Town-managed parks. To learn more or obtain a permit, visit https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/beach/parking/permit/.

For residents and visitors alike, the MyHHI app (available for free in both Google and Apple stores) and the Town of Hilton Head Island website provide links to maps of local beach parks and their associated lots, as well as more information regarding beach rules and expectations.