Emerald Isle has paid parking. Their paid parking ends on September 15th. Their paid parking begins April 15th. 2 “free” passes are issued to residents/taxpayers. Paid parking ranges from $2 -$4 an hour with a maximum of $16. In 2021, paid parking added $155,000 to the town’s budget. Paid parking season has gotten shorter since 2021 when it ran April 1st to September 30th. Paid parking is 8am until 6pm.
Emerald Isle employed 20 lifeguards for their 12 miles of ocean beach. The lifeguards are employees of the Town Fire Department. They were on duty this season since April 1st and will remain through the end of September. The cost of the lifeguards and coordinator in 2021 was $315,104.00.
Emerald Isle has 3800 year-round residents with an increase of 30-40,000 visitors in the summer.
Emerald Isle has the 3rd lowest tax rate of all NC beach front communities. No Carteret County funds are used for beach renourishment. $700,000 is collected from occup
Surf City has paid parking. Their paid parking ends October 31st. Their paid parking begins March 1st. Paid parking is from 9am until 6pm daily. Paid parking ranges from $3-$5 an hour or $25 a day.
Surf City received approximately $400,000.00 in 2021 from paid parking. $250,000 of that amount was used to pay for the start-up, parking signs, gravel, etc. ($150,000 was added to town’s budget).
Surf City taxpayers can register 2 vehicles for “free” parking passes. In the 2023/2024 Town Budget, Surf City lists revenue from paid parking at $1,344,350.00 before expenses.
Surf City has 4100 year-round residents with an increase of 30-40,000 visitors in the summer.
Surf City has no lifeguards.
Wrightsville Beach has paid Parking. Their paid parking ends October 31st. Their paid parking begins March 1st. Paid parking runs from 9am until 7pm. Wrightsville Beach taxpayers can purchase 2 additional parking passes for $50 each (hang tags).
Wrightsville beach charges $5 per hour or $25 per day. There are 1600 metered spots. There are 26 pay stations located in Wrightsville Beach and a pay by phone option as well.
Wrightsville Beach has lifeguards from Memorial Day until Labor Day with 13 lifeguard stands.
Wrightsville Beach has 2,700 year-round residents with an increase of 50,000 visitors in the summer.
New Hanover County announced that they took in over 1 billion dollars in tourist revenue this year.
Carteret County took in approximately 695 million dollars in 2022.
Pender County tourists spent approximately 189 million dollars in 2022.