Whitecap Beach in Corpus Christi. The annual beach parking permit in Corpus Christi could soon change from $12 to $20.
Google Maps Street View
For the first time in more than two decades, beachgoers in this South Texas city could soon pay more to park along the coast.
On Tuesday, Corpus Christi City Council voted 5-4 in favor of increasing the annual beach parking permit from $12 to $20. The $8 hike would be the first time the annual rate has changed in 22 years.
Article continues below this ad
However, the proposal—an agreement between Corpus, the city of Port Aransas and Nueces County—will go before the Texas General Land Office (GLO) before any increase would become official.
“The GLO will post the fee change for a 30-day public comment period and then review those comments before providing final approval,” Lisa Oliver, a spokesperson for Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation, told Chron in a statement on Wednesday. “If approved by the Texas General Land Office, the new beach parking permit rate is set to take effect in January 2027.”
RELATED: Galveston officials hope to lessen the shock of Seawall parking tickets
Why now?
The reason for the timing of the increase largely comes down to inflation, officials said.
Article continues below this ad
“I think everyone was looking at the cost of inflation and the pressure on the funds that we’re currently using for beach maintenance,” Jonathan Atwood, assistant director of parks and recreation for Corpus Christi, said at Tuesday’s meeting. “We need to charge $20 to maintain the services that we provide right now.”
GLO mentioned it was “probably time” for Corpus to increase its annual parking fees based on increases that have happened across the state and the coastline, Atwood added.
Oliver told Chron the revenue from the permits helps compensate for a portion of the costs pertaining to beach-related services incurred in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas and Nueces County.
“The cost of maintaining and providing beach-related services, including costly beach renourishment projects within the jurisdictions, has increased beyond revenue generated from the current permit price,” Oliver said.
Article continues below this ad
Both Port Aransas and Nueces County are on board with the proposed increase.
“The City of Port Aransas and the Nueces County Board of Commissioners have approved the recommended amendments,” Oliver said.
Bob Hall Pier, Padre Balli Park, Corpus Christi, Texas. The annual beach parking permit in Corpus Christi could soon change from $12 to $20.
Jennifer Coulter/Getty Images/iStockphoto
How does Corpus beach parking compare?
Officials noted that even with the increase, Corpus Christi’s $20 annual permit would remain below the cost of similar permits at several other Texas beaches.
Article continues below this ad
“City Staff conducted research on local municipalities on the beach parking permit rates for comparison,” Oliver said. “Cameron County on South Padre Island charges $100 for an annual beach user pass and the City of Galveston charges $50 for a seasonal beach parking pass and an additional $45 for an annual seawall parking pass.”
Here’s how a few other Texas beaches compare:
Surfside Beach: $30 annual permit.
Bolivar Peninsula (Crystal Beach): $5 early bird annual permit. $10 annual permit after March 1.
Padre Island National Seashore: $45 annual pass (includes parking for up to 15 passengers in one non-commercial vehicle)
A divided council
Despite ultimately passing, the ordinance faced vocal opposition from several council members.
Article continues below this ad
Council Member Eric Cantu raised questions about how the increase would impact affordability for low-income families.
“Personally, I do know a lot of families, single mothers that make less than $20,000 a year and have four or five kids and they go to the beach all the time because it’s more or less free to enjoy time with their families,” Cantu said. “We waited so long to do this and the increase is just so high.”
Council Member Kaylynn Paxson echoed Cantu’s concern, pointing to the lengthy gap since the permit fee was last raised.
“This has gone from no change for a very long time to…now jumping a pretty significant change here,” Paxson said. “This is almost doubling essentially.”
Article continues below this ad
Several officials questioned whether the fee could apply exclusively to out-of-town visitors.
“I hate to even charge anything but I understand that you have to take care of the beach,” Council Member Carolyn Vaughn said. “Can you not just charge the tourists?”
Residents weigh in
Reaction online was mixed, though many residents said they supported the increase if it helped with upkeep.
Article continues below this ad
Smart, funny and sometimes unhinged look at the week that was.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.
“I don’t mind, assuming that money is used to maintain our beaches,” one Facebook user commented under KRIS 6’s post about the vote.
Another user in the r/CorpusChristi subReddit noted the permit hasn’t been raised in 20 years despite years of inflation after the COVID-19 pandemic.
But others opposed the increase, with one Facebook commenter calling it “total madness” and another suggesting locals should continue paying $12 while out-of-town visitors pay $20.
Article continues below this ad