Town of Shelter Island beach permits
Shelter Island residents park free with a permit valid through 2030. Visitors pay $35 for a day, $90 for a week, $170 for a month or $325 for the season at the Town Clerk. Permits are required May 15 to September 15.
- Season
- Parking restrictions apply May 15 to September 15 at Town beaches, landings and ramps.
- Resident
- Free. Current resident permits are valid through December 31, 2030.
- Visitors
- Daily $35, weekly $90, monthly $170, seasonal $325.
- Daily permits
- Sold through ParkMobile on site or in advance, plus applicable fees. Valid only for the date and location chosen.
- Locations
- Wade's Beach, Menhaden Lane, Shell Beach, Peconic Avenue, Crescent Beach (weekends only), Fresh Pond, Reel Point, Bootlegger's Alley, Daniel Lord Road, Hiberry Lane.
Shelter Island sells beach parking at four lengths and caps the number of daily permits per location. That makes it the most visitor-friendly system on the East End and the one most likely to sell out on a July weekend. Renting for a week or more? The Shelter Island renter guide tells you which pass saves money.
Prices
| Permit | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Resident | Free | Town Clerk’s Office |
| Daily | $35 plus fees | ParkMobile, on site or in advance |
| Weekly | $90 | Town Clerk’s Office |
| Monthly | $170 | Town Clerk’s Office |
| Seasonal | $325 | Town Clerk’s Office |
Prices from other websites, including some ferry and chamber pages, are lower. Those are old. The Town’s current page and its published fee list say $35, $90, $170 and $325.
Where a permit is required
The Town restricts parking from May 15 to September 15 at ten beaches, landings and ramps. Day permits are offered at the permit-required lots of these locations: Wade’s Beach, Menhaden Lane, Shell Beach, Peconic Avenue, Crescent Beach (weekends only), Fresh Pond, Reel Point, Bootlegger’s Alley, Daniel Lord Road and Hiberry Lane. The number of one-day permits varies by place.
Buy a day permit only for the location you plan to use. The app lets you switch to another place if yours is sold out, but you must do that before you pay.
Getting a permit
The Town Clerk’s Office is at 38 North Ferry Road, near the North Ferry landing. The Clerk handles resident, weekly, monthly and seasonal permits. Day permits are digital through ParkMobile and can be bought on site. Residents prove residency at the Clerk’s Office; the Town’s current resident stickers run through 2030.
If you come by ferry without a car, you need no parking permit at all. Plan the ferry crossing with Hamptons Commute. For rentals on the island, Hamptons Key lists Shelter Island homes.
Beaches that lifeguards cover
Wade’s Beach and Crescent Beach are the Town bathing beaches with lifeguards and a comfort station, according to the Shelter Island Chamber of Commerce. Check the Town for current lifeguard dates. The Town’s page covers parking, not swimming conditions.
Common questions
Do I need a permit for an unrestricted landing?
No. The Town says no permit is required in unrestricted locations. The restricted ones are the ten places listed in the table above.
Can I use a daily permit at a different beach?
No. A one-day permit is valid only for the date and location you select. If your preferred beach is sold out, the ParkMobile app lets you search alternates.
Does a permit holder need to buy a daily permit too?
No. Anyone with a valid resident, weekly, monthly or seasonal permit does not need a one-day permit.
Sources
Checked October 2026; page updated . Rules and prices on this page describe the 2026 season unless a line says otherwise.