CAPE MAY – Cape May City Council has introduced a crucial parking ordinance amendment that would extend the paid parking season by three months to December 31 in nearly all city parking zones, starting this summer if approved. The current paid parking period, which runs from April 1 to October 31, is set to expand urgently as local officials seek to improve city revenues and manage parking congestion.
The amendment, introduced on May 5, also enforces across-the-board parking fee increases in most zones, a move impacting thousands of drivers this season in the popular coastal city.
Pay More Longer: Fees and Hours Changed Across Zones
The new plan sets uniform metered parking rates at $2 per hour for green, orange, and blue zones with operation hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. One notable exception, the blue zone, will retain paid parking only until 5 p.m. and is the only zone keeping the current April 1 to October 31 paid parking dates.
The yellow zone, closest to the bustling Washington Street Mall, will see the biggest changes: parking fees will rise to $3 per hour, the strict three-hour time limit is removed, and paid parking will stretch until 10 p.m. daily during the extended season. City leaders will closely monitor the effects of this removal and revisit the time limit after the summer.
Meanwhile, the red zone will maintain a $2 hourly rate but with paid parking extended to 10 p.m. daily, from April 1 through December 31. Parking lot rules remain unchanged in the proposed ordinance.
Critical Details for Drivers and Visitors
For residents and visitors unfamiliar with Cape May’s evolving parking landscape, understanding the color-coded zones is now more important than ever. The city’s parking map, detailing zones in green, orange, blue, yellow, and red, is available online and will be essential for compliance when paying through coins or via the ParkMobile app.
With the extended season and higher fees, drivers face new costs and restrictions during what was previously an off-season. The expansion affects daily parking habits, especially for the thousands who visit Cape May during the fall and early winter.
Next Steps: Public Hearing and City Council Vote
A public hearing regarding the ordinance is scheduled for the May 19 City Council meeting at 5 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend as the council moves to finalize this sweeping overhaul. Following public input, a formal vote to adopt the changes will take place.
“Extending paid parking later into the year will help support local businesses and city services during shoulder seasons,” City Council officials stated.
The changes represent a significant shift in Cape May’s approach to parking management and public revenue, with immediate effects anticipated as early as this summer. The SC Journal will continue to report updates after the hearing and council decision, providing the latest for South Carolina readers and visitors nationwide.
Contact reporter Vince Conti at [email protected] for more information.
