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City hall · Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores moves resident beach parking to license plates in 2027

Part-time property owners can register up to two vehicles; hurricane decals stop working as parking permits Jan. 1.

The Gulf Shores City Council on Sept. 28 approved new resident beach parking rules that replace windshield decals with a plate-based system. Police Chief Dan Netemeyer presented an amendment letting part-time residential property owners register up to two vehicles for free parking at any beach access except the East Gulf Place lot. Full-time property owners have no vehicle limit.

Hurricane re-entry decals stay valid for parking through Dec. 31, 2026. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the city will still issue them for re-entry but they will no longer work as parking permits. The ordinance also requires front-end-in parking in beach lots, sets a $50 boot removal fee and keeps the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. overnight restriction south of Hwy. 182.

The city said exemption registration was expected to begin in October 2026 once its vendor agreement is approved, and the new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Sources

  1. City of Gulf Shores: Council approves updated resident beach parking ordinance, Sept. 28 (opens in a new tab) · gulfshoresal.gov

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