DELAND, Fla. — At their Tuesday meeting, the Volusia County Council unanimously approved a new ordinance requiring non-Volusia County residents to pay for parking in county-owned off-beach parking lots and coastal parks.

What You Need To Know

  • A new ordinance will require non-Volusia County residents to pay for parking in County-owned off-beach parking lots and coastal parks, they will pay $20 for a day pass and $100 for an annual non-resident pass

  • Volusia County residents who register their vehicles for parking are exempt from the fees

  • The program will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025

Volusia County residents will be able to park at off-beach parking lots at no extra charge.

“We're excited about this because we are going to continue to allow complimentary beach parking to our residents of Volusia County. The new paid parking system will only affect visitors to our beaches who don't own property or live in Volusia County,” Volusia County Coastal Director Jessica Fentress said.

Fentress said the county has over 2,000 off-beach parking spaces that will fall under this program.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the following fees will apply to non-resident visitors and unregistered Volusia County residents who utilize off-beach parking from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.: 

  • $20 - daily pass, plus applicable taxes and credit card processing fees
  • $100 - annual non-resident pass, plus applicable taxes and fees

Volusia County residents who register for parking are exempt from the fees. Those who verify their permanent residency status by Jan. 1, 2025, will continue to enjoy off-beach parking with no fees. Eligibility extends to full-time residents, as shown on their valid driver’s license; Volusia County property owners listed on the most recent tax roll; and college students at Bethune-Cookman University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Stetson University, with a valid school parking pass.

“This new initiative is going to bring approximately $6 million in revenue after all, the expenses are paid in new revenue to Volusia County to help offset that tax burden on our residents, to maintain accessible beaches for our public,” Fentress said.

According to the county, it costs approximately $26 million annually to maintain and operate the beaches, with $15 million of that money coming from property taxes paid by Volusia County property owners. County Chair Jeff Brower said this program will cover most of that cost.

“This brings in the lion’s share of that money to maintain our beach without charging more to the residents that live here. They’re taxed enough already,” Brower said.

But people who do not live in Volusia County will have to pay a fee. “The visitors that come from out of town, we just want them to have a little skin in the game to help pay for all the maintenance of the beach. The maintenance of the parking lot is very expensive,” Brower said.

The program will be implemented by the consultant PCI Municipal Services, LLC, a third-party vendor which will also be responsible for the maintenance of the equipment.

The system will use license plate reader technology to track who is using the lots – and people will have multiple options for payment, including a mobile app. Residents will be able to register their vehicles through the program’s website.

“We will give our residents a 48-hour grace period. If you didn’t know this program was implemented or you just forgot to register,” Fentress said.

The county will also have brick-and-mortar locations available across the coastline to provide customer service and help visitors and residents alike.

Fentress said they hope this new program will also direct beach visitors, whether residents or tourists, to the Volusia Beaches app, where they can find staff, lifeguard towers open, beach accesses and information about parking availability.

“We will have updates real time on our Volusia Beaches App on the status of the parking lot,” Fentress said. “The one thing people hate when they get to the beach is driving around trying to find a parking space. This will help our residents and our tourists and day trippers find parking efficiently so you can get on the beach faster and spend more time with your family and friends.”

The registration system is scheduled to be operational by Nov. 1, 2024. Walk-in locations and a 24/7 call center will also be available to answer questions and assist with registrations. Volusia County households will be able to register multiple vehicles. The new fees are specific to off-beach parking and do not affect beach driving or on-beach parking fees.

Some beachgoers shared concerns about the new program.

“If it’s $20 like they’re saying, it’s going to be. I think that’s probably too much. Maybe. I’m not even sure what they charge to park on the beach nowadays, but $20 just to walk a couple of feet doesn’t seem like it’s worth it,” Volusia County resident Gerard Schenk said.

He said it will be good to get the revenue, but he has concerns about the fact that this program might drive people away.

“I think it would probably be good the revenue to put to that, but still $20. I don’t know about that. I guess that’ll be up to the individual, whether they want to pay it or not,” Schenk said.

Disabled individuals and veterans with registered license plates or placards will also continue to receive complimentary access to the county’s off-beach parking amenities, regardless of residency.

An educational campaign will be launched this fall to ensure all Volusia County residents have access to the registration system and all visitors are aware of the new fees.

The program will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

The county also has plans to discuss driving and parking on Volusia County beaches without paying a fee for residents while increasing the cost for visitors. That issue will be brought to the council for a vote at the Aug. 6 meeting.