Nonresident property taxpayers will no longer qualify for discounted seasonal beach parking passes starting in May 2027, according to a new beach parking ordinance approved by the Kennebunk Select Board. The board approved the new policy by a vote of 5 to 1 at its April 14, 2026 meeting.

The new policy will also eliminate the category of guest passes, which has allowed short-term rentals, hotels and inns to provide their guests with passes that can pass from hand to hand throughout the season. Select board member Kortney Nedeau noted that this change “will be a better revenue driver for the town.”

Under the new policy, only residents with cars registered in the Town of Kennebunk will qualify for the discounted passes. Residents will qualify for as many permits as the number of cars they have registered in Kennebunk.

The process of applying for the pass will be streamlined. The applicant will go online to enter their registration (license number) into a database. That database will be accessible to beach patrols, who will be able to scan license plates electronically. There will be no more stickers or dashboard passes.

The select board agenda for December 16, 2025, stated that the new policy, if approved by the board, would require a town meeting vote. But the April agenda indicated a reversal of this opinion, requiring only select board approval. This reversal stemmed from the recognition of M.R.S. (Maine Revised Statutes) 30-A Section 3009, giving municipal officers the authority to regulate public parking.

The only “no” vote was from select board member Karen Plattes. At the December meeting, Plattes noted that the change might be “a big issue for people who pay a lot of property taxes.”

The new policy would mark a significant difference between Kennebunk and its neighbors. Kennebunkport, Wells and Ogunquit make discounted season passes available to all property taxpayers – whether residents or nonresidents.

When asked about the elimination of nonresident taxpayers from eligibility, Select Board Chair Miriam Whitehouse said, “The opportunities for increasing municipal revenues are very limited, yet each year, costs rise and without revenue increases, taxes will increase, or services will be cut. Increasing beach pass revenues is one of those rare opportunities and we felt that while it will result in an increased cost to non-resident property owners, that change Is justified by the overall benefit to the community.”

Another change in the ordinance would bring forward the start of the season for required permits from June 15 to May 15 in order to capture the lucrative Memorial Day weekend.

As always, nonresidents will be able to purchase parking passes at specified daily, weekly or seasonal rates through the Passport app and at the beach kiosks. Fees are set annually by the select board.