Newport City Council to consider Easton's Beach parking fee changes

The Newport City Council will consider significant changes to parking fees and regulations at Easton’s Beach during its January 8, 2025, meeting. The proposed amendments to city ordinances aim to increase revenue and simplify beach access for residents.

Erik Reis, Recreation & Beach Administrator, will present the staff recommendation to update the Easton’s Beach Amenities Fee Schedule, which was last modified in 2019. The Department of Public Services, supported by the Beach Commission, recommends the changes to enhance revenues and support operations.

The proposed revisions are estimated to generate up to an additional $500,000 annually. This increase is based on comprehensive reviews, fee studies, and cost analyses of services and operating costs.

Key changes include:

Beach Parking: Daily fees would increase, with a new “not to exceed” limit of $25 on weekdays and $35 on weekends and holidays. This change aims to make Newport’s fees comparable to nearby Sachuest Beach.

Holiday Rates: A new holiday rate is proposed for weekdays falling between weekends immediately preceding and following July 4. The rate would match the highest weekend daily rate.

Bus Parking: Fees for buses would increase to $50 on weekdays and $100 on weekends and holidays. This change aims to both increase revenue and discourage buses from parking in public beach lots.

Resident Parking: The most significant change for Newport residents is the proposed elimination of all beach parking fees for vehicles with a City of Newport residential parking sticker. Currently, residents park free only before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.

Non-Resident Seasonal Stickers: The fee for non-resident seasonal beach parking stickers would increase from $100 to $150. These passes will be sold online and linked to license plate numbers, eliminating the need for physical stickers.

Mark Fitzgerald, Chairman of the Newport Beach Commission, expressed support for the proposed changes in a letter to the City Council.

“The increase in parking fees is warranted, as an informal analysis of Beach Revenue versus Expenses conducted by the NBC indicated that the Expense of operating the Beach exceeded revenue by approximately 14%,” Fitzgerald wrote.

He added, “Given that inflation has been substantial since 2020 and fees were last changed in 2019, the NBC advises that the new fee structure is necessary to keep Easton’s Beach from slipping into an unusable state.”

The Beach Commission voted to support both the proposed increases for parking fees and the recommendation to eliminate resident beach parking fees altogether.

However, Fitzgerald noted that the new fee structure “will NOT be enough to restore features and amenities which have already decayed and were demolished at DPW expense.”

If approved, the ordinance amendments would take effect upon passage. The changes would impact Chapter 2.120.010 of the city code, which covers fees for permits and licenses, and Chapter 10.28.080, which specifically addresses Easton’s Beach parking lot regulations.

The proposed changes come as part of a broader effort to manage beach operations more effectively. The ordinance amendments also include updates to the hours of operation for the beach parking lots and clarifications on overnight parking restrictions.

City officials hope these changes will help balance the needs of residents, visitors, and the beach’s operational requirements while ensuring the long-term sustainability of Easton’s Beach as a public resource.

The City Council will review and vote on these proposed changes during their January 8 meeting at Newport City Hall.