Dewey raises business license, parking fees

Dewey Beach commissioners unanimously approved several increases to business license and parking fees Feb. 16, as recommended by the town’s budget and finance committee in January.

Business licenses

Commissioners raised business license fees in all categories. Residential property rentals are now assessed a $188 base fee plus an additional $15 for each bedroom over two. Previous fees were $182 and $14, respectively.

Motels and hotels now pay a $503 base fee plus $29 per room, up from $488 and $28, respectively.

Food and beverage service establishments will pay a $359 base fee plus $10 per person based on fire marshal occupancy and seated dining capacity. Former fees were $349 and $8, respectively. For small establishments for which the fire marshal has not established occupancy, the $10 per person multiplier, formerly $8, will be based on seating capacity as reported to and approved by town officials.

A one-day license fee is now $27, up from $25, and conference centers will pay a $2,872 fee, up from $2,788.

Small in-town businesses with up to four employees and not classified above will pay $359, up from $349, and large in-town businesses with five or more employees and not classified above will pay $503, up from $488.

Small out-of-town businesses with up to four employees will now pay $143 instead of $139, and large out-of-town businesses with five or more employees will now pay $503, up from $488.

Parking permit and meter fees

Seasonal parking permits are now $300, up from $250. After Aug. 1, the price for a seasonal parking permit is reduced to $150, up from $125.

Dewey property and business owners whose business is physically located in town are eligible to buy up to two discounted seasonal parking permits per property or business at $175 per permit, up from $150, as long as their beach replenishment tax is paid in full and the applicant has no unpaid parking fines.

Business owners without a physical location in Dewey can purchase up to two discounted seasonal permits for $225 each, up from $200.

Direct employees of Dewey businesses who have proof of employment, and additional permits for property owners, are eligible for the $225 rate, up from $200.

A weekly, eight-day permit is now $100, up from $90, and daily and weekend permits are now $30 and $55, respectively, up from $25 and $45. The parking meter rate is now $3.50 per hour in all locations, up from $3.

Violation fees

Fees have been raised to $45, up from $30, for parking violations that involve, but are not limited to, parking or stopping on the wrong side of the street, double parking, blocking a mailbox or parking on the roadway. For the full list of violations, go to townofdeweybeach.com.

In lieu of a $45 fine, an administrative fee of $5 will be assessed to cover administrative costs if the vehicle is legally parked and paid in full for parking but the person failed to enter the full correct vehicle information and is able to provide proof of payment.

For parking information, go to townofdeweybeach.com/departments/Parking/CodeEnforcement.