The Rehoboth Beach Board of Commissioners voted to raise parking meter rates in the most popular spots and extend the permit season.
Meter rates will increase from $2 an hour to $3 an hour on Rehoboth Avenue from the Boardwalk to Fourth Street, Baltimore, and Wilmington Avenues from the Boardwalk to Second Street, and First Street from Baltimore Avenue to Wilmington Avenue.
The meters on Rehoboth Avenue from the Boardwalk to Fourth Street will extend meter limits from two hours to three hours.
The additional hour is part of an effort to manage the growing demand for street parking downtown and provide more time for diners and shoppers, a release from the city stated.
All other meters in the City are 12-hours except in designated 30-minute meter zones. Metered parking will also end at 10 p.m. instead of midnight.
Parking permit fees will remain the same. However, the permit season will be extended to the second Sunday following Labor Day to coincide with the meter season.
Additional transferable parking permits for rental property owners, hotels and motels, beyond those issued free of charge, will now be available at the regular price of $250.
The weekly parking permit will increase from $80 to $90.
The designated post office parking spaces on Rehoboth Avenue will decrease from seven to five with three spaces staying unmetered, and two spaces remaining unmetered until 5 p.m.
The city has been looking at changes for parking, with some critics claiming that higher rates will simply send more people to businesses with free parking along Route 1.
The many visitors from the Washington, D.C. area can also use that area’s ParkMobile app. Questions can be directed to communications@cityofrehoboth.com.
