PINELLAS COUNTY — Parking at Fort De Soto, Sand Key and Fred Howard parks is getting more expensive after Pinellas County leaders locked in higher beach and boat-ramp fees as part of the new budget.
Annual pass prices already rose today (Oct. 1). Daily beach parking flips Dec. 1 from a flat $6 to $3.50 an hour, capped at $12 a day, plus tax. Boat-ramp parking moves to a $12 daily fee the same day, according to Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources.
What you’ll pay starting Dec. 1
County officials say the three coastal parks had not seen a meaningful rate change in about 20 years. The new hourly structure still caps a full beach day at $12 — double the old flat rate — while short visits cost less than that ceiling if you stay under a few hours.
Boat ramp users who previously paid under older daily structures should plan on the $12-per-day ramp fee beginning Dec. 1. The county projects the package of parking and pass changes will bring in nearly $3 million a year to help cover rising operating costs and unfunded state and federal mandates, FOX 13 reported after the board’s vote.
Annual passes (effective Oct. 1)
Pass prices now in effect, plus tax, per the county’s published table:
- Annual Beach Pass (full price): $95, up from $75
- Annual Beach Pass (military discount): $70, up from $55
- 6-Month Beach Pass (full price): $60, up from $45
- 6-Month Beach Pass (senior or military): $40, up from $30
- Limited Income Beach Pass: $55, up from $37
- Annual Boat Pass (full price): $140, up from $110
- Annual Boat Pass (military discount): $105 (new tier)
- Senior Pass (beach and boat areas): $70, up from $55 — the separate senior beach-only pass is discontinued
- Disabled U.S. Veteran Pass: still free
Why the county raised rates
Commissioners folded the increases into the adopted budget, citing long-flat fees, higher park costs and tens of millions in mandates that squeeze next year’s outlook. Regulars are mixed. Local fisherman Grant Jones told FOX 13 higher gas prices plus the new fees will factor into where he chooses to launch.
Drivers heading to Fort De Soto should also note ongoing boat-ramp dock construction, roadway and trail paving into early 2027, and special-event morning closures (including Oct. 18 and Oct. 31). Sand Key’s seawall staging area remains closed into October for Clearwater Marina work. Check the county’s Know Before You Go page before you go for live park alerts.