Plan Your Summer in the Hamptons with this Helpful Beach Permit Guide

Beach permits in the Hamptons can often involve a complex set of rules, regulations, and restrictions depending on village or township. With summer only a few months away and permits in various locations throughout the Hamptons becoming available over the next month, now is the perfect time to familiarize yourself with the area's strictly enforced permit processes.

Nearly all Hamptons beaches require either an advance permit, and only a few offer the option of obtaining daily passes onsite. Also, each township's beaches have their own rules and accommodations regarding pets, facilities and more, so advance planning is crucial.

Here is a breakdown of some key benchmarks and requirements to consider when obtaining a parking permit in the Hamptons during high season.

Town of Southampton

Beach permits for Southampton become available online via this link starting in March. Permits will be sold at beaches on weekends starting May 28 through June 25, when beach parking is initially allowed, and will be available daily when beaches open seven days a week from June 26 - Labor Day.

Dogs are not permitted at beach recreation facilities beginning in April and extending to September. While barbecues are generally not allowed, residents can access a special barbecue permit that can be used between 6:00 and 9:00pm.

Non-resident parking permits are permitted at all Southampton beaches except W. Scott Cameron Beach. Click here to learn more.

(Also, keep in mind that the Town of Southampton presides over a different set of beaches than the Village of Southampton, which has its own beach permitting process. Follow this page for updates.)

East Hampton Village

Peetlesnumber1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

With the village's recent introduction of ParkMobile throughout its beaches, both residents and visitors alike can access daily parking at East Hampton Village beaches through their phones.

With that being said, long-term parking permits, including seasonal permits, can still be obtained in advance—an ideal option for those who will be in the area for one month or longer.

Residents can obtain year-round permits by mail or in person, while non-resident monthly and seasonal permits are exclusively available online.

Click here to learn more.

Town of East Hampton

East Hampton beach permits are required 24/7 throughout the year, regardless of season. For Most beaches, only year-long permits can be obtained by both residents and non-residents. However, both Atlantic Avenue and Kirk Park Beach offer daily parking, with the former limiting day passes to weekdays.

Permits for group events at town beaches and other public places must be requested individually.

Click here to learn more.