Island Parking Updates
2025.05.09 - What are the Streets / Lots open for parking on the Island of Sunset Beach at this time?
As of May 9, 2025, the following is a list of all streets and parking lots that are open for parking.
- Gazebo Lot
- Street Scape Lot
- Streets 7-11
- Main Street and 40th Street Parking Area
- Canal Drive
- North Shore Drive East and West
The Pier Lots are privately owned and consist of the Pier Lot that is located directly behind the Sunset Beach Pier and the two smaller lots across Main Street. Main Street is currently closed and the Town is in the early stages of creating surveyed drawings of designated parking spaces. The proposed parking lot along the West side of Sunset Boulevard has been surveyed and plans have been completed. The next step is final negotiations on a proposal to lease the identified properties. Council will make the final decision on this parking lot when all of the facts are available.
2025.05.03 - As we manned the Town Booth at a recent Thursday Market, questions arose about the background / reasons for the Island Parking Plan. We felt others may have similar need to know the background of the Parking Plan.
Please understand that this parking effort began almost four years ago. It is an effort by Council to implement a parking plan that would better organize parking and at the same time address safety for citizens and visitors alike.
In addition to working on this plan for almost four years, one key part of this effort was a parking committee made up of an equal number of citizens from both the island and mainland, along with two Island business owners, and Council members, Charlie Nern and Mike Hargreaves. This committee worked for a year before issuing their final IslandParking report. The report was presented to Council in February of 2024. Town Council passed the Parking Plan in July of 2024.
The major problem that has caused worry on behalf of Island and Mainland residents is the growing number of visitors we have coming to the Island during the Beach Season. Some say it is due to development in and around Sunset Beach, others say our beach is simply attracting more visitors in recent years. Whatever the case, we have been getting more visitors and more traffic, especially in the summer months.
Our system of random parking has brought complaints from island residents who have had their driveways blocked or partially blocked by parked vehicles, mailboxes blocked so mail is not being delivered, and the dangers inherent in just pulling out of their driveways, unable to see pedestrians, bicyclists, golf carts or other vehicles. People from the mainland were having problems finding a parking space and then wondering if they would receive a ticket when they returned to their car.
Through the Parking Plan, the Town is instituting a parking system that is based on where you can park, replacing the past practice of indicating where you cannot park. Parking spaces will be clearly marked (designated) so there will be no question of where a vehicle is allowed to park.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) owns Main Street and oversees parking on that street. We were notified by NCDOT that they approved our parking plan except for the planned method of designating parking on Main Street. Since that notification, we have partnered with NCDOT and now have a mutually agreed upon plan moving forward, but it will take time to implement. Thus, the delay in opening of Main Street.
Phase I of the Parking Plan is complete and paid for through our initial earnings from paid parking. We have now begun Phase II of the plan and have opened Canal Drive and North Shore Drive to parking. The final piece of Phase II is Main Street. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Question regarding Main Street contained in this section.
This summer is going to be more challenging to find parking on the Island. However, as we finish and open Main Street as well as work on the other parts of the plan, we will get our parking numbers back to approximately 580 spaces that was set by the Parking Committee as being adequate parking for our Island.
By the time we finish the Parking Plan, we will have a well-organized system of designated parking which will emphasize safety for all those visiting our Island.
2025.03.28 - Pay to Park spots have been signed, rocked and marked with parking bumpers. For a map of available parking click here. Main Street has been marked with "No Parking" signs and enforcement has begun.
2025.03.07 - 40th Street Parking Evaluation - Parking Plan for the Western End of Main Street: At the March 3, 2025, Town Council meeting, residents expressed concern about the new parking plan for the area of West Main Street past 40th street.
This section of West Main Street is owned by the Town. In conjunction with the Parking Committee, Town officials had sought from the Town’s engineering firm, redesigned engineered drawings of the parking in that area. The designated parking in this area is currently parallel parking for 6 vehicles. The engineer’s new design shows 14 perpendicular parking spaces.
Residents expressed three concerns. One, the ability for fire trucks to respond to an emergency at the houses at the end of West Main Street. Two, for the lack of clearance for a vehicle to turn around in this area if the parking spaces are full. And three, the ability of vehicles to park and then back-up and leave from the parking spaces.
Town officials tested the engineered drawings on Friday, March 7th. Fourteen vehicles pulled in and parked perpendicular to the north side of the road.
A Town fire engine then entered the area and parked in the middle of the road, blocking access to the vehicles. Firefighters had clear access to the nearby homes with the ladder truck.
After the fire truck left the area, the turn-around clearance was tested. A truck drove to the end of the street and then made a three-point turn to head in the opposite direction.
Lastly, the fourteen parked vehicles, one by one, backed out and exited the area.
Town officials felt that the evaluations described above clearly showed that the engineered plans are a positive approach to parking at the Western end of Main Street.
2025.03.03 - Current Installation: Canal and North Shore (see maps below). Public parking will be designated and delineated by curb stops and or stone and concrete ribbon. Parking spaces will be identified as follows: GRAY=Standard Vehicles, GREEN=LSV (golf carts) and motorcycles.
2025.03.03 - Council passed a resolution to temporarily prohibit parking on Main Street in order to carry out the construction of designated parking along the North side and will entail surveying, preparation of the rights-of-way, and installation of the designating parking places.
2025.02.11 - In preparation to designate parking spots in the Island, letters from Town Staff were mailed to Island property owners on Canal Street asking for their assistance in:
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Clearing objects from the Town's right-of-way in front of their property,
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Working with Town staff to designate their driveways in accordance with the Town's Unified Development Ordinance, and
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Designating the best mailbox location to ensure easy mail delivery.
Our goal in carrying out this plan is to have property owners and Town officials work together to make decisions that are in the best interest of both parties. Obviously, this process will take time and positive communication between both parties. We strongly believe good decisions can be made that create a safer environment throughout the summer along Canal Street.
2025.02.03 - Council's response to NCDOT letter dated 2023.01.30 (See below.)
2023.01.30 - Letter from NCDOT to TOSB (See below.)
2025.01.15 - Letter from TOSB to NCDOT (See below.)
2025.01.09 - In preparation to designate parking spots in the Island, letters from Town Staff were mailed to Island property owners on Main Street asking for their assistance in:
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Clearing objects from the Town's right-of-way in front of their property,
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Working with Town staff to designate their driveways in accordance with the Town's Unified Development Ordinance, and
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Designating the best mailbox location to ensure easy mail delivery.
Our goal in carrying out this plan is to have property owners and Town officials work together to make decisions that are in the best interest of both parties. Obviously, this process will take time and positive communication between both parties. We strongly believe good decisions can be made that create a safer environment throughout the summer along Main Street.
2025.01.06 - SurfCAST by Otto Connect present the council with an summary of the proposed contract to include:
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A license plate based parking permit system
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Permits are accessed via: Mobile App, website, scanning QR code, or by calling SurfCAST by OttoConnect.
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Pass Season: April 1 - October 31, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
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Visitor Rates: $5/hour up to 3 hours, $20 per day, $80 per week, $175.00 per season per vehicle
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OWNER/RESIDENT: Discounted parking for 2 vehicles (max) with a $25.00 registration fee for each vehicle. Residency/ownership will be confirmed with your Brunswick County Tax Parcel.