A trip to Fernandina Beach could soon cost you, if you don’t live there.
The City of Fernandina Beach adopted a resolution to charge non-city residents for parking at all beach access points.
Under the resolution, the city would implement year-round paid parking for all beach accesses, but city residents would park for free.
Beachgoers have mixed opinions.
Lynn Gorden, who recently moved to Fernandina Beach, said she supports the idea if the price is right.
“I think it’s fine as a long as they do it at a lower rate,” Gorden said. “I don’t think you should gouge people coming down to enjoy their vacation.”
Out-of-town visitors like Indigo Seaman said charging people to park is not fair.
“People wouldn’t want to come here if they had to pay,” Seaman said.
Nearby businesses are concerned it could turn away potential customers.
Anthony Harris is a managing partner with Sliders Seaside Grill and said paid parking could hurt his business.
STORY: Neptune Beach City Council approves initial phase to new parking program at beaches
“By them charging I think that that's going to deter them to other beaches outside of Fernandina which is going to impact the whole town,” Harris said.
According to the resolution, the money would help cover the cost of beach operations, including safety, cleanliness, and maintenance.
Most beachgoers said they would be willing to pay if it benefits the beach.
Action News Jax reached out to the city manager to figure out how much the fee would be and when it could go into effect.
Right now, the city manager is putting together a paid beach parking plan that will be introduced before city commission at the city commission regular meeting on Dec. 18.