SCITUATE - August 4, 2026 - Following long-standing community frustration over crowded shorelines and inadequate penalties, the Scituate Select Board voted unanimously August 4 to raise the town’s beach parking violation fine from $50 to $150, effective August 10. The board’s decisive action leverages newly approved state legislative authority, aiming to deter unauthorized parking and safeguard access for local residents during peak coastal months.
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For nearly two years, Scituate officials and residents have grappled with overburdened beach parking lots and out-of-town visitors taking spots without valid stickers. The issue reached a boiling point at town meeting, where voters overwhelmingly signaled their desire for a steep penalty, overriding lower proposed increases to demand a full push to the $150 maximum allowed under state law.
Town Administrator Jim Boudreau provided compelling context for the change, reporting that of 293 recent parking tickets issued by police as of late July, 2025 were specifically for failing to display a valid beach sticker. Board members noted that with non-resident beach stickers priced at $350 per season, the previous $50 fine was simply treated as a minor cost of doing business by seasonal visitors.
While board members debated whether a intermediate increase to $125 might ease the transition, the consensus quickly converged on the $150 threshold to honor public sentiment and establish a meaningful deterrent. Department of Public Works crews will apply updated rate stickers to beach parking signage ahead of the August 10 effective date.
“I think we heard loud and clear from the people at town meeting that they wanted it to be higher... This was almost a year and a half ago, two years ago... People are very frustrated with beach parking, and this is probably the most emails I get during my entire time on the select board.” — Susan Harrison, Select Board Chair
