Parking Fees Up In 2023 Ocean City Proposed Budget

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Costs are increasing in Ocean City as part of the proposed $98.9 million municipal budget, which was presented at a recent City Council meeting.

There will be a 1.77 cent tax increase in the budget, adding $88.50 onto the annual bill for a homeowner with a house assessed at $500,000.

And to create more revenue, parking fees at both lots and meters are going up. An ordinance was introduced at that meeting which gives the city the ability to charge up to $25 per day during peak times in the summer, up from $20.

Parking meters in the Boardwalk and beach areas will also increase from $1.50 per hour to $2 per hour.

Also, Downtown parking meters will increase from 25 cents per hour to 50 cents per hour, plus meters on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street will operate year-round. This was supported by Danielle Guerriero, president of the Downtown Merchants Association. It will keep spots open for shoppers, according to officials.

These fee increases are in addition to the raising of beach tag prices that happened in the fall. Read more: Beach Tag Prices Are Increasing In Ocean City

This increase in revenue helps keep the tax rate lower than what it would have been in the midst of rising expenses, CFO Frank Donato said.

A formal introduction of the budget is set for the April 27 meeting, with a public hearing and final vote likely on May 25.