Parking fees at some South Bay beaches are poised to increase, along with charges for RV hookup, marina storage and kayak rental fees, based on a vote this week by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Parking fee changes will go into effect if and when approved the Coastal Commission. All other fee increases will begin on Aug. 1.
Proposed day rate parking increases of $1 per day at Dockweiler and Torrance beaches are subject to approval by the California Coastal Commission and include additional $1 hikes for each of the next two years. Metered and short-term parking rates at various beach and marina lots are also set to move up from $1.50 to $2 per hour.
The cost for parking and hookup to electricity, water and sewer services at a Dockweiler Beach lot for 118 recreational vehicles will increase by $10 per day to a maximum of $75, depending on location within the lot. The county is also adding spaces for tent campers who need electrical hook-up only at a $45 fee.
Daylong parking rates at other county beaches will remain unchanged.
The Department of Beaches and Harbors—which operates 19 beach lots and 15 parking lots in Marina del Rey—requested the rate hikes, calling them “warranted and appropriate” and in line with other area lots. Other than a hike in summer weekend rates in 2014, this is the first requested increase in a decade, according to the department.
Eric Preven, a frequent critic of the county board, called the move “completely unnecessary and unwarranted” and urged the supervisors to “roll it back by 5 percent.”
The supervisors offered no comments of their own and unanimously approved the changes.
Sailors will also pay more to store their boats in dry dock, up to $250 per month for a 29-31 foot vessel. For those owners who already have storage agreements, monthly rates will go up $10 per month per year until they match the new rates. There will be no change to storage rates for power boats.
Kayak rental fees will also jump, including an increase from $30 to $50 per day for single kayaks, as will fees for renting space at beach and marina community centers.
The changes are estimated to generate $873,000 annually once fully implemented.
