Cape May Moves to Extend Paid Parking Season Through December
Cape May, NJ — The Cape May City Council is pushing forward with major changes to its parking regulations, proposing to extend the paid parking season by three months to Dec. 31 in all but one city parking zone. The ordinance, introduced May 5, aims to take effect this summer and will also raise parking fees and hours in key areas of the city.
The current paid parking season runs from April 1 to Oct. 31. Under the new proposal, the city will expand paid parking into November and December to cover the extended tourism and holiday period, providing increased parking control and revenue as Cape May’s visitor season grows.
New Fees and Hours Across City Zones
The ordinance maintains the existing color-coded parking zones but standardizes fees and adjusts limits. In the green, orange, and blue zones, parking will rise to a flat $2 per hour. Hours will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for green and orange zones, while the blue zone’s paid parking hours remain slightly shorter, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The blue zone is also the only one retaining the original paid season ending Oct. 31.
Meanwhile, the yellow zone, which borders the popular Washington Street Mall, will see a parking fee increase to $3 per hour. Significantly, this zone will remove the existing three-hour parking limit altogether but extend paid parking hours to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“The council will monitor the impact of removing the three-hour limit after the summer season to determine if it should be reinstated,” officials said.
The red zone will also see expanded paid parking hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a rate of $2 per hour running through the new extended season of April 1 to Dec. 31.
Parking Rules and Enforcement Remain Stringent
Importantly, parking regulations in city lots will remain unchanged. Payment methods continue to rely solely on coin-operated meters and the popular ParkMobile app, encouraging visitors to plan ahead.
Visitors unfamiliar with the system should refer to the city’s official parking map showing color-coded zones to avoid violations. The map is available on the Cape May city website.
Public Hearing to Decide Final Adoption
The ordinance will undergo final review during a public hearing on May 19 at 5 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium. Following this session, the City Council will vote to adopt or reject the proposed changes.
Vince Conti, reporting from Cape May, noted these changes come as the city seeks to balance growing tourist demand with local needs during shoulder and off-peak seasons.
What This Means for Visitors and Residents
Extending the paid parking season through December will impact both late-season tourists and locals, especially during holiday weekends and events. Increased fees, longer hours in the busiest zones, and the removal of parking limits in the yellow zone signal a push toward higher compliance and revenue generation.
Motorists should prepare for these shifts by checking the available online resources and using the ParkMobile app for convenient payment. The upcoming public hearing is the last chance for residents and stakeholders to voice concerns or support.
As Cape May adjusts its parking strategy, many coastal and tourist destinations nationwide may watch closely, as extended paid parking seasons become a common tool to manage congestion and fund city services beyond traditional summer months.
