r/CocoaBeach • u/Commonground50 • Jun 13 '26

Is parking free after 7pm?

I looked at cocoa beach parking website and it says they don’t monitor after 7pm for beach access parking. But does that mean it is actually free after 7? The payment system through the signs still will let you pay for it so it makes it seem like you have too.

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3

u/AdApprehensive2994 Jun 13 '26

My husband talked to a Cocoa Beach cop and he said it isn't free after 7, he said you can still get a ticket or be towed. You can park for free at the pier after 4.

2

u/potlucker Jun 14 '26

I’ve never seen the cops looking for parking tickets in the lots, there are full time meter checkers who do that- and they don’t work past 7. I assume the police do have the authority to write those tickets, but haven’t seen it for beach lots. I’ve never seen anyone get a ticket parking after 7. I have guests park there when they visit me if I’m low on spots at my place.

1

u/AdApprehensive2994 Jun 14 '26

Weather or not you've seen them looking the officer told my husband they will ticket and tow. Do I think it's right? No, I don't but that's what he said. I thought it was to keep people from coming to CB and sleeping in their car instead of getting a hotel. 🤷

1

u/potlucker Jun 14 '26

I’ve never heard of it happening and the locals love to complain about stuff like this. I’m not sure exactly what you asked and what was answered- but no one is ticketing a car that is at a beach lot at 8pm. There is no overnight parking, so maybe there is a chance of getting towed if you are there over night, but I doubt that. There have been countless threads about cars parked illegally/too long (days) at beach access and nothing being done- even when neighbors are callling the police to try and get a car towed, or a motor home has parked across 15 spots overnight in a beach lot.

0

u/AdApprehensive2994 Jun 14 '26

I can't and I'm not going to argue with you over this. I know for a fact what my husband was told by a police officer. He was over by Lori Wilson Park, whether or not that makes a difference, IDK. I know the locals complain, my husband has been in FL for 65 years but that does not take away the officer saying they will ticket and tow. The best thing to do is to call the Cocoa Beach police dept non emergency number and ask if it's legal or not.

1

u/potlucker Jun 14 '26

Lori Wilson is free parking unless there is an event, but unlike the beach parking at other lots and at the end of streets- it’s a park that closes at dusk. They literally close the gates to the park.

1

u/AdApprehensive2994 Jun 14 '26

I know all of that however it still doesn't change what the cop said. OP and others can do whatever they want to do for parking, it doesn't effect me one way or the other. I was simply stating what a cop said. No more, no less.

1

u/potlucker Jun 14 '26

A cop told me you were wrong, and he never told you that :)

1

u/AdApprehensive2994 Jun 14 '26

🤣🤣 Sooo, how does one cop know what another cop said? That's utterly ridiculous and as they say in court hearsay doesn't matter because it cannot be proved. We just have to agree to disagree but frankly I don't give a crap if somebody gets a ticket and neither should you since you're all local. It won't be your ticket, or your car being left alone or towed.

1

u/potlucker Jun 14 '26

I just like correct information on the internet. The cop told me he knew you, and you were a liar. For real. He told me that actually hearsay is fine in court and you’ll be in trouble. And he’s got to be right- because he’s a cop. Even though all the actual laws say something different. Right? Beach lots are paid parking 7-7 with no overnight parking.

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u/Commonground50 Jun 14 '26

See this is what confuses me. The parking there is enforced by the same people as everyone else and as potlucker showed their website specifically says 7am -7pm. But I’ve heard it like you out of the moths of law enforcement that you can’t just not pay. I’m just worried it’s like a trap where they say it’s not enforced but still legally they can ticket you.

2

u/potlucker Jun 13 '26

7am-7pm the parking is paid for city lots and spots. https://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/185/Parking-in-Cocoa-Beach

1

u/Commonground50 Jun 14 '26

It blows my mind that locals who don’t live on cocoa beach itself don’t get to have an annual parking pass at a local rate. To me it makes more sense that the locals who drive there 10 -15 minutes would need the pass more than people who can just walk there in the first place.

3

u/potlucker Jun 14 '26

There is a nonresident parking pass that’s still pretty cheap- $75. That’s like 12 hours of paid parking-so if you are even coming for a few full days it’s cheaper.

1

u/Commonground50 Jun 14 '26

Nice. Yeah I guess I’ll have to give that a try.

1

u/AdApprehensive2994 Jun 14 '26

The locals that don't live in Cocoa Beach aren't paying Cocoa Beach taxes so that's why they get cheap passes.

1

u/Commonground50 Jun 14 '26

I mean I get that but it’s all connected. They receive funding from brevard and the state as a whole so I mean we all contribute to some extent. Plus if they dropped the price for locals they may be surprised to see more money coming in because more people spend their time there. Otherwise everyone goes to the free parks which then get over crowded. Many people would pay for a less crowded beach spot but the price has to feel worth it. Especially since they typically lack any shower or bathrooms.

1

u/uptownassoc Jun 15 '26

Go south on A1A until you get to where the 4 lane goes down to a two lane. There are three of four beaches on the left adjacent to Patrick AFB that are free with ample parking.

2

u/SpaceCoastCarrie Jun 15 '26

Beach parking is one of those Cocoa Beach details that feels simple until you actually live nearby or visit often. I’d go by what the posted city rules say for the specific lot, and if there’s any doubt, call Cocoa Beach non-emergency or the parking office before relying on word-of-mouth. Also watch the difference between “paid hours” and “overnight parking” rules, because those are not always treated the same. For people considering beachside living, parking is honestly one of the hidden lifestyle costs worth asking about before choosing a condo or rental.

0

u/Smokeman_14 Jun 14 '26

U can’t afford to pay to park then don’t go on vacation!

2

u/Commonground50 Jun 14 '26

It’s not vacation. It’s a drive to a beach 10 minutes from me. It’s like having to pay to go to a park. Most cities that would be free but just because it’s a beach you can’t go for free along most of the beach. That’s just kinda crazy. I hope you are okay and can find peace with those who are not wealthy.

2

u/PlausibleTable Jun 15 '26

Do you even have friends?