Borough commissioners approve first rate increase in 17 years; existing free parking areas will remain free.
WILDWOOD CREST, N.J. — Visitors heading to Wildwood Crest next summer will face a significant increase in parking costs after borough commissioners approved a measure doubling the hourly rate at municipal parking meters.
The Wildwood Crest Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 1500 during its November 3 meeting, raising the hourly parking rate from $1.50 to $3 beginning with the 2027 summer season.
The increase marks the borough's first adjustment to its hourly parking meter rates since 2009.
For families and day-trippers visiting the popular Cape May County beach community, the change means the cost of parking for an eight-hour beach day will jump from $12 to $24.
A four-hour visit will increase from $6 to $12, while six hours of parking will cost $18 instead of $9.
The 100% increase comes as Jersey Shore communities continue to grapple with the costs of maintaining services and infrastructure during the busy summer tourism season.
No New Parking Meters Planned
Despite the higher rates, borough officials say they are not expanding paid parking into additional neighborhoods.
According to information provided by Wildwood Crest officials to the Wildwood Video Archive, the increase will apply only to existing metered parking spaces.
Streets that currently offer free parking will remain free under the ordinance.
That distinction is important for residents and visitors who regularly park on residential side streets rather than in metered areas.
The borough is also consolidating its existing paid parking zones into a single zone, simplifying the administration of parking payments through digital systems such as ParkMobile.
The hourly rate will be uniform throughout Wildwood Crest, eliminating differences between existing paid parking zones.
When Will the New Rates Take Effect?
The new rates will apply during Wildwood Crest's 2027 paid parking season, which runs from May 15 through September 30.
Metered parking is enforced daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. during that period.
Parking outside the enforcement hours and seasonal dates will remain free at municipal metered spaces.
The new rates will affect visitors staying for a few hours as well as those spending an entire day at the beach.
For example, a family parking for eight hours on seven consecutive days would pay $168 under the new rate, compared with $84 under the previous rate.
That represents an additional $84 in parking expenses during a weeklong vacation.
The borough's parking regulations limit use of an individual metered space to eight hours, so visitors should not assume they can remain in the same space for an entire 10-hour day simply by paying more.
Wildwood Crest Beaches Remain Free
Although parking costs are increasing, Wildwood Crest continues to offer free beach access.
Unlike many other New Jersey shore communities, Wildwood Crest does not require visitors to purchase beach tags.
That makes parking one of the primary direct expenses for day-trippers who drive to the resort.
For families traveling together in one vehicle, the higher parking fee will be shared among all passengers.
However, visitors who make frequent trips to the beach or rely on metered parking throughout their vacations will see a noticeable increase in costs.
The new rates may also encourage more motorists to search for free parking on residential streets.
Borough officials have not announced any expansion of metered parking to address that possibility.
Neighboring Communities Take Different Approaches
The Wildwood Crest decision comes amid broader discussions about paid parking throughout Cape May County's shore communities.
Earlier this year, Lower Township considered implementing paid parking in the Diamond Beach section, immediately south of Wildwood Crest.
The proposal would have introduced parking charges in designated areas, but it encountered opposition from residents.
Lower Township subsequently moved to repeal the paid parking measure, leaving Diamond Beach without the proposed new meters.
The contrasting decisions highlight the different approaches shore communities are taking to parking management.
For Wildwood Crest, the new ordinance raises additional revenue from existing metered spaces without expanding the areas where visitors must pay.
What Visitors Should Know Before Summer 2027
With the new rates scheduled to take effect next May, residents and vacationers have several months to prepare.
Visitors planning extended beach stays may want to consider accommodations that include off-street parking or identify legal, unmetered spaces before arriving.
Motorists using ParkMobile should also review the updated hourly rate when the 2027 season begins.
The borough's decision to consolidate parking zones is intended to make digital payments more consistent throughout the community.
Although the hourly rate has doubled, Wildwood Crest's beaches remain free, and the borough says existing free parking areas will not be converted into metered spaces as part of the change.
For visitors accustomed to paying $1.50 an hour, however, the difference will be noticeable when the summer season returns.
Beginning May 15, 2027, a full eight-hour beach day in a metered space will cost $24.
And for families spending a week at the Jersey Shore, that added expense could become another factor in planning their summer vacation.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
