Ocean City Beach Parking
Ocean City has metered street parking and several municipal lots. The Music Pier area is most congested.
Paid parking season: May 1 – Oct 31
Paid parking in Ocean City does not end with beach badge season. Badges stop being required after Labor Day (Monday, September 7, 2026), but the meters keep running to the end of the window above. Budget for parking on a September or October visit even when the beach itself is free.
All municipal lots and street parking are free from Oct 31 to May 1. Rates run 50¢/hr downtown to $2/hr in beach and boardwalk zones; lots cap at $25/day.
Source: ocnj.us/parking + Ocean City Code Ch. 8 (ecode360)
Where to park
9th Street Lot
$15/day ($3/hr)
🚶 3 min to beach
~150 spots
Accepts: cash, card, app
Music Pier Lot
$20/day
🚶 1 min to beach
~75 spots
Accepts: cash, card
Street Meters
$2/hr
🚶 Varies to beach
Accepts: card, app
Free October - April
Local parking tips
- •Use ParkMobile app for all meters
- •Lots near 9th Street are central to boardwalk
- •Free parking available west of West Avenue
- •Meters enforced 10 AM - 10 PM, May-September
Plan the rest of your Ocean City day
Parking in nearby Cape May County towns
Ocean City parking questions
Is there free parking in Ocean City?
Ocean City does not offer much free beach parking. Paid lots and meters range from about $15 to $20/day. Arrive early or park farther from the beach to save.
How much does beach parking cost in Ocean City?
Paid lots and meters range from about $15 to $20/day. Use ParkMobile app for all meters
Where should I park in Ocean City?
Use ParkMobile app for all meters Lots near 9th Street are central to boardwalk
Ocean City beach planning tips
Get shore planning tips: when lots fill, where to park next, and how to save on a beach day.
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