If you own a home on Holden Beach—or you’re shopping for one—holiday parking just got simpler. On Oct. 27, 2026, the Holden Beach Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to suspend paid parking from Nov. 1 through Jan. 2. The Brunswick Beacon reported Nov. 5, 2026 (Jenna Lapp) that the board approved an ordinance amendment, resolution, and contract amendment with parking management company Otto Connect to put the change in place.
For owners hosting family over Thanksgiving and New Year’s—and for buyers touring during the quiet season—that two-month window matters. Here’s what the vote means on the ground.
What the Board Decided
The Oct. 27 decision followed a September direction from the board asking staff to explore shortening Holden Beach’s year-round paid parking season. The stated goal was holiday relief for residents and property owners. With the suspension, Holden Beach becomes the fourth Brunswick County beach town to shorten its paid parking season:
- Oak Island — paid parking April 1 through Sept. 30
- Ocean Isle Beach — paid parking April 1 through Oct. 31
- Sunset Beach — paid parking April 1 through Oct. 31
- Holden Beach — paid parking suspended Nov. 1 through Jan. 2 (per the Oct. 27 vote)
The town’s own parking page at hbtownhall.com/paid-parking now highlights free parking from Nov. 1 through Jan. 2. Outside that window, paid parking is enforced 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, with free parking before and after those hours, using license-plate verification through Otto Connect / SurfCAST.
Revenue Trade-Off and the Lone Dissent
Otto Connect CEO Jim Varner told the board the suspension is expected to cost the town approximately $50,000 in parking revenue, according to the Beacon. Varner also said parking traffic was down about 16% year over year, with revenue running roughly $30,000 behind the prior year—so the holiday suspension stacks on top of a softer season.
Commissioner Tom Myers cast the only “no” vote. He questioned whether residents and property owners would truly benefit, noting annual-pass holders may not gain much and suggesting discounted annual passes for property owners as a more targeted relief tool. Commissioners who supported the change framed it as goodwill: Mayor Pro Tem Page Dyer called the two-month break a holiday gesture, and Commissioner Keith Smith argued the town should not have moved to year-round paid parking in the first place.
Separately, the ordinance amendment removes the parking zone table from the town code so the town manager (or designee) can adjust designated spaces without a fresh ordinance each time—plus housekeeping language on low-speed vehicles and fine clarifications.
What Owners and Buyers Should Do With This
- Holiday showings and guests: Free parking Nov. 1–Jan. 2 lowers friction for out-of-town family and for buyers who want to walk the strand without juggling the app.
- Listings remarks: If you market a Holden Beach home this winter, note the temporary free-parking window factually—and point buyers to the town page for current rates when paid season returns.
- Annual passes: Pass rules and rates still matter outside the suspension; confirm current pricing on the town site rather than relying on last summer’s memory.
- Comparable towns: Buyers comparing Holden, Oak Island, Ocean Isle, and Sunset should treat paid-season calendars as a lifestyle cost difference, not a price predictor for any one house.
Same Meeting, Separate Story: Canal Dredging
The Oct. 27 agenda also covered canal dredging delays for Holden Beach’s three canal subdivisions. We covered that update separately in our Nov. 5 post on the dredging timeline. Parking and dredging are related only by the meeting date—don’t conflate them when you talk with neighbors or write listing notes.
FAQ
Is paid parking gone for good on Holden Beach?
No. The Oct. 27 vote suspends paid parking from Nov. 1 through Jan. 2. The Beacon frames this as a holiday-season shortening, and Holden Beach joins other Brunswick beaches that already limit paid months rather than charging year-round.
How do I confirm the current rules?
Check hbtownhall.com/paid-parking and the SurfCAST / Otto Connect tools linked there. Rules and maps can change; use the town’s primary page as your source of truth.
Does free winter parking change my home’s value?
Treat it as a convenience and lifestyle detail for guests and showings—not a reason to invent a new price. Value still comes from comps, condition, location on the island, and buyer demand.
Talk With a Local Team
Whether you own on Holden Beach, you’re hosting family this holiday season, or you’re comparing Brunswick Island towns for a purchase, small policy shifts like parking calendars shape how a winter visit feels. Reach out to Aspyre Collective and we’ll help you weigh island logistics alongside the home itself.
