Headed to a Chatham beach and not sure if you need a sticker or a visitor pass? You are not alone. Between resident stickers, seasonal visitor passes, and a few free beaches, it can be confusing to know where to park without a ticket. This quick guide breaks down which beaches require passes, how to buy them, and the rules to keep you stress free. Let’s dive in.
What requires a sticker in Chatham
Stickered beaches in season
Chatham sets parking windows each year for certain beaches. In 2025, Harding’s, Ridgevale, Cockle Cove, and School House Pond required a Chatham sticker or visitor pass in season, with specific dates published by the Town. Lighthouse Beach parking on Bridge Street had a narrower window with daytime hours. Always confirm the current season dates on the Town’s one-page bulletin before you go, since they can change year to year. See the Town’s 2025 beach information for examples.
Free beaches year-round
Several beaches do not require any sticker or pass. The Town’s beach parking page lists Pleasant Street Beach, Forest Beach, Oyster Pond Beach, and Jackknife Harbor Beach as free parking locations. Check the official list each season for any updates. Review beach parking details on the Town’s site.
Lighthouse Beach and Bridge Street
Bridge Street parking by Lighthouse Beach typically requires a sticker or visitor pass during the posted season and daytime hours. The top Lighthouse overlook lot remains short-term only, generally limited to 30 minutes. Posted signs always govern. For the latest seasonal window, consult the Town’s current beach bulletin referenced above.
Town landings at a glance
Rules vary across Chatham’s town landings. Some landings require resident or taxpayer stickers in season, while others do not. Before you launch a boat or plan a pickup, check the Town’s landing-by-landing guide. See Parking at Town Landings.
Resident stickers vs. visitor passes
Who qualifies and what to bring
Resident and taxpayer stickers are available to year-round residents and property owners with proper documentation. In 2025, sticker options included Combination Beach/Transfer Station, Beach only, Transfer Station only, and Recycling only, with pricing listed on the Town’s form. Stickers must be affixed inside the windshield on the driver’s side and are non-transferable. If your vehicle changes or your windshield is replaced, there is a documented replacement process. Review eligibility, documents, and fees on the Sticker Office form.
Visitor pass options and typical pricing
Non-residents can buy daily, weekly, or seasonal visitor passes. Online sales typically open around June 1, and cash sales are offered at guarded beach booths in season. Beach Wi‑Fi can be unreliable, so buy passes online before you head out. Typical visitor prices often reported by local guides are $20 per day, $75 per week, and $175 per season, but you should confirm current rates on the Town’s portal. See a local guide’s overview of beach passes.
How and where to buy
Best ways to purchase
Residents and taxpayers can order online via the Town’s portal linked from the Sticker Office page, by mail, or in person when the office is open. Mailed stickers can take up to ten business days, so order early. Visitors can purchase online or at guarded beach booths during the season. Start at the Town’s Sticker Office page for links and hours.
OSV permits on North Beach
Over-sand vehicle access to North Beach operates under a separate program. In 2025, OSV stickers were restricted to Chatham residents and property owners, while Orleans administers non-resident OSV access for its areas. Rules and availability can change with beach conditions. For current OSV guidance and links, begin at the Town’s Sticker Office page above.
Rules, fines, and smart parking
- Obey posted signs, time limits, and space markings. Enforcement is handled by parking clerks and the Chatham Police Department, and violations can result in citations or towing. Review the Town’s general parking guidance.
- As of a 2024 Town notice, standard parking violations are $75 and parking in a handicap space without a placard is $300. Always verify current amounts on the Town’s site. See the Town’s fine update.
- Harding’s Beach notes free parking for U.S. military personnel with valid military ID. Accessible parking spaces require valid placards. Check Town pages for any special procedures.
- For Bridge Street and Lighthouse Beach, remember the short-term 30-minute overlook limit and seasonal daytime rules along Bridge Street.
Quick checklist for summer parking
- Decide if you need a resident sticker or a visitor pass based on where you plan to park.
- Buy online before you leave home. Keep a screenshot or email confirmation handy.
- Affix resident stickers inside the driver’s-side windshield as directed.
- Arrive early on busy weekends and holidays; guarded lots may fill.
- Have a backup plan at free beaches like Pleasant Street, Forest, Oyster Pond, or Jackknife Harbor.
- Follow posted signs, respect the Lighthouse overlook time limit, and observe all handicap parking rules.
Why this matters for homeowners and buyers
Seasonal parking shapes daily routines for residents, second-home owners, and renters. If you are buying, confirm your eligibility for resident stickers and plan your documents early to avoid delays. If you are selling or renting, set clear expectations about off-street parking and share the Town’s beach and landing rules with guests. The Sticker Office resources are your best reference for eligibility and timing.
Ready to simplify your Cape life?
Whether you are exploring beach neighborhoods or preparing a seasonal property for market, local insight saves time and stress. If you have questions about how parking and access fit into your purchase or sale, reach out to Shane Masaschi for thoughtful, concierge-level guidance rooted in Chatham expertise.
FAQs
Do I need a pass to visit Chatham beaches in summer?
- Yes for certain locations. In 2025, Harding’s, Ridgevale, Cockle Cove, and School House Pond required a sticker or visitor pass during the Town’s posted season, and Bridge Street by Lighthouse Beach had a daytime window; check the Town’s current bulletin for this year’s dates.
Which Chatham beaches are free without a sticker?
- Pleasant Street Beach, Forest Beach, Oyster Pond Beach, and Jackknife Harbor Beach are listed by the Town as free parking locations; always confirm on the Town’s beach parking page for any seasonal updates.
How do non-residents buy beach parking passes?
- Purchase online through the Town’s portal linked from the Sticker Office page, or buy with cash at guarded beach booths in season; Wi‑Fi can be spotty, so buy online before heading out.
What are Chatham’s current parking fines?
- The Town announced that standard violations are $75 and handicap-space violations are $300; confirm current fine amounts on the Town’s site.
How can new homeowners get resident beach stickers?
- Gather required documents that prove Chatham residency or property ownership, submit through the Sticker Office portal or by mail, and allow up to ten business days for delivery; the Town’s application lists accepted documents and sticker types.
