Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach is preparing for the 2026 beach season by opening resident parking pass registration and renewals for Gulf State Park and City Beach accesses. City officials announced that passes will be handled through Orange Beach City Hall. The program covers both no charge and paid parking options. It is designed to serve permanent residents who use local beaches year-round.

The 2026 Resident Parking Passes for Gulf State Park beach accesses are currently available at Orange Beach City Hall starting yesterday. Resident Beach Access parking pass renewals for the 2026 season will also begin on that Monday at City Hall. The current tag access expires on December 31.

Only Orange Beach residents, as defined by the city, are eligible for no charge, year-round Gulf State Park passes. A “resident” is an individual with a valid Alabama driver’s license that shows a physical Orange Beach address within the city limits of Orange Beach. This standard comes from Resolution 21-079, which is titled “Establish Resident Eligibility Gulf State Park Beach Access Parking Passes.” City staff will use this definition when checking identification at City Hall.

Residents who qualify can receive two passes per household for Gulf State Park beach access. The city allows a third pass to be purchased for $25 at the Gulf State Park Headquarters. Property owners who do not live in Orange Beach and Ono Island residents do not qualify for the no charge passes under the current rules.

The Resident Pass for the City Beach Access next to CoastAL is also available at City Hall for qualified Orange Beach residents. For the City Beach location, only one pass per household is issued. Just like the Gulf State Park beach pass requirement, the only form of identification accepted is a current driver’s license with a physical address inside the city limits of Orange Beach.

Orange Beach City Hall is located at 4099 Orange Beach Boulevard. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents who have questions can call City Hall at 251-981-6979 for more information about the process.

The city is directing residents to online resources for more details about the parking programs. Information about city-managed resident beach access parking is available on the City of Orange Beach website under Resident Beach Access Parking. Details about state-managed Gulf State Park beach parking can be found under State Beach Access Parking.

For general information about Gulf State Park beach parking fees and rules, the public is encouraged to visit the Alabama State Parks website. That site explains the broader fee structure, regulations, and guidelines that apply to all Gulf State Park beach visitors, including those who are not Orange Beach residents.