Parking
2025 PARKING SEASON PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPEN
Citizens of Kure Beach,
The Town of Kure Beach has taken part in Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (beach renourishment) events since 1997. Our projects are cost shared 65% federal and 35% nonfederal. The nonfederal split 17.5% comes from state funding and 17.5% from Tourism Funds (ROT). To make these projects happen the Beach Towns sign agreements with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) that spell out the responsibilities of each Municipality.
The responsibilities are the Town of Kure Beach must maintain 443 parking spaces, necessary roads, parking areas and other public use facilities open and available to all on equal terms.
Earlier this summer we were required to verify that we were in compliance with the current agreement. The Town sent in our justification and the USACOE confirmed we have the required number of parking spaces, but in their interpretation, we do not offer parking on equal terms. We are allowed to charge for parking and the Town interpretation that residents receive a discounted rate for annual passes has never been questioned. The Town offered the following explanation to the USACOE interpretation:
“When the Town considered developing a paid parking program, the main determination was offsetting the cost of services such as Ocean Rescue, Police, Fire/EMS, Recreation and Public Works/Sanitation that the Town provides to visitors at no charge. The provision of these services increased as our Town became a more popular destination. The Town’s logic was based on setting a fair hourly and daily rate along with allowances for weekly visitors, residents, and employees of our local businesses. The Town contends there is tremendous value in owning property within the Town, operating a business, providing employment opportunities and paying local taxes. In accordance with this logic, the Town developed a reduced rate fee schedule that is equitable to owners and lessors of property with the Town and to the business owners and their employees. This approach is extremely fair to all and is applied equally to residents and visitors.”
The USACOE rejected our interpretations and notified us we were not in compliance and that our project was suspended until we came in compliance. You may ask why we didn’t appeal or take legal action. The short answer is we didn’t have the time, and it would have caused us missing the current renourishment cycle scheduled for later this year.
That brings us to our current situation of changing our parking fees to meet their requirements. We want your feedback and comments. Please review the proposed parking fee changes and give us your thoughts and comments by using the form below by Monday, December 9, 2024.
We will discuss the fee changes at the November Council meeting and vote on the changes at the December meeting.
Sincerely,
Allen Oliver, Mayor
Town of Kure Beach
The application process for registration of your license plate will begin at Town Hall on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. If purchasing online you may start on Monday, February 12, 2024. Paid parking enforcement will begin on March 15, 2024 and run through September 30, 2024. Hours of enforcement are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Kure Beach Residents that would like to purchase a Carolina Beach parking pass, please visit their website at carolinabeach.org. If you have any questions regarding Carolina Beach Beach parking passes please contact Carolina Beach Town Hall at 910-458-2999.
PROPERTY OWNERS, RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, LOCAL BUSINESS EMPLOYEES, AND CAROLINA BEACH RESIDENTS
For property owners, residents, business owners, and local business employees, registering your license plate is a two step process. Your first application is to the Town where the residency for special rates will be verified. Once your information has been verified, you will receive an email with a unique promo code provided for each plate you are registering. That email will include a link to the Premium Parking website and instructions to help guide you through registering your license plate on their website. The promo code provided will facilitate the appropriate billing amount for the permit purchased. Links to the Parking Permit Application, Premium Parking website, parking permit fees, and instructions on how to register your plate are provided below.
Parking permits are virtual (no decal or hang tag), and monitored/enforced by scanning license plates. Once your license plate is registered in the Premium Parking system you will not need to do anything else.
Applicants for a Residential/Business Parking Permit acceptable documents:
Current vehicle registration FOR EACH VEHICLE is required AND one of the following:
- Proof of ownership required (ex: NHC tax bill, water bill, mortgage statement, or real estate closing document etc. *Progress Energy bills are NOT proof of residency).
- Tenant Letter for Parking Permit form is required for residents that are in a long term lease and want to purchase a seasonal parking permit.
- Employees of a local business will need to provide a signed letter from your employer as proof of employment.
Please note, purchasing a seasonal parking permit is voluntary. If you can walk to the beach or downtown, and do not need access to Town parking between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, you do not need to purchase a seasonal permit. However, without a seasonal permit, you are subject to enforcement if you park between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm and would need to pay the hourly rate. License plates can be registered at any time during the season.
*Parking permits do not guarantee a parking space. All parking is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Residential/Business Parking Permit Application
Tenant Letter for Parking Permit
Visitors of Kure Beach
Visitors and guests of Kure Beach may pay for parking at pay stations, visiting Premium Parking's website, following the pay by phone or text by phone options that will be shown on signs throughout town.
https://www.premiumparking.com/city/kure-beach
Visitors may purchase a full season pass for $225 at https://www.premiumparking.com/p2120
Handicap Parking
Free parking is available in all handicap marked spaces for those vehicles displaying a valid handicap designated license plate, placard, or hang tag.