Dewey Beach parking rules in effect May 15

Paid parking rules on all public streets in Dewey Beach will go into effect Wednesday, May 15, with some changes for the 2024 season.

In December, commissioners voted to eliminate free parking on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, but to maintain the amenity from 5 to 11 p.m. on Monday evenings, when movies on the beach take place.

Hourly metered parking is available at all spaces throughout town for $3.50 an hour, up from $3 in 2023, and can be paid through the ParkMobile app or by parking at a coin meter to pay with quarters.

Daily, weekend and weekly parking permits can be purchased at the automated kiosk outside town hall. These short-term permits are not transferable and not valid at coin meters. When using the ParkMobile app or kiosk, be sure to enter all numbers and letters of the license plate, including PC or CL. 

Daily passes are $30, up from $25 in 2023; weekend permits are $55, up from $45 last year; and weekly, 8-day passes are $100, up from $90 in 2023.

Seasonal parking permits can be purchased at town hall or online; hangtag seasonal permits are transferable. Seasonal permits are now $300, up from $250 in 2023. After Aug. 1, the price for a seasonal permit is reduced to $150, up from $125 in 2023.

Discounts are available for Dewey Beach property owners, business owners, business employees and out-of-town businesses licensed in Dewey.

Property owners and business owners can purchase two seasonal permits for $175 each, up from $150; business employees can buy one seasonal permit for $225, up from $200, with proof of employment; and out-of-town businesses licensed in Dewey can purchase two seasonal permits for $225 each, up from $200.

Virtual parking permits can be connected to up to eight vehicles per account, but only one registered vehicle can park in town at a time; additional vehicles parked under the same permit will be ticketed.

Vehicles with seasonal, weekly, weekend or daily permits can be parked in any available space except in front of a coin meter.

Cars displaying a handicapped placard or license plate can park in any zone at no charge; the placard or plate serves as the permit.

Town Manager Bill Zolper said there will be no parking tags issued for boat trailers; they must be parked on private property, not on the town right of way.

Fees have been raised to $45, up from $30, for parking violations involving, but 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, see Ordinance 832 at 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.

The paid parking season ends Sept. 15 every year. For parking information, and to purchase virtual permits, go to townofdeweybeach.com/departments/Parking/CodeEnforcement.

Dog licenses

All dogs must be licensed in Dewey year-round. From the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the Sunday following Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. During all other dates, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time.

Costs are: three-day tag $5, eight-day tag $10, lifetime tags $37, and special souvenir tags with lifetime licenses $52. They can be purchased online, at the kiosk in front of town hall or inside town hall.

The town supplies free waste bags at the end of each street. Owners will be fined for not picking up after their dogs. 

Dogs may be unleashed, but they are not allowed to run at large; handlers must be in control of their dogs at all times.

For more information and to purchase dog licenses online, go to townofdeweybeach.com/purchaseadoglicense.

Bonfires 

Bonfires may be held year-round on Dewey Beach with a permit, now available for purchase online. Permits are $150, which includes a $100 deposit that is refundable after the fire is cleaned up. 

Dewey Beach property owners can purchase permits at town hall for a discounted $130, with $100 as the deposit refundable after the fire is cleaned up.

For more information, go to townofdeweybeach.com/BeachBonfires.