Holden Beach is proud of staying low-key, but what it does need, according to town officials, is a modern, fully staffed fire station on the island. This fall the Town of Holden Beach took a concrete step toward building one, and at the same time Brunswick County is rethinking how fire service is paid for countywide. If you own on Holden Beach, rent out a house there, or are shopping for a second home on the island, here’s what’s happening and why it’s worth following.
What the Town Announced
On October 2, 2026, the town issued a Request for Qualifications for architectural and engineering design services for a new fire station facility. Firms have until November 6, 2026, at 4 p.m. to submit their qualifications.
According to the town’s RFQ, the station would sit at 574 Ocean Boulevard West. It would be owned by the town and staffed by the Tri-Beach Fire Department under contract, and it would serve as the fire station on the island. The RFQ describes a building of roughly 8,750 square feet with:
- Three apparatus bays, including climate-controlled indoor storage for two fire engines plus support vehicles
- Crew quarters with sleeping space for seven personnel
- A kitchen, day room, and fitness area
- An administrative office, a conference room, and a training room
- A site plan covering emergency vehicle access, parking, stormwater, and an emergency generator and fuel storage
The town says the project is expected to be paid for through “multiple funding options.” No construction budget or timeline has been approved yet. This is the design-team selection stage.
Why Holden Beach Says It Needs a New Station
The groundwork was laid last year. The Brunswick Beacon reported on September 4, 2025 that commissioners unanimously added a new fire station to the town’s capital improvement plan after Planning and Inspections Director Tim Evans presented a needs assessment. At that time:
- The existing Tri-Beach satellite station, at Ocean Boulevard West and Starfish Drive, was staffed by two firefighters from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 1 through September 30, with volunteers responding outside those hours.
- Evans called the station outdated and said it needs repairs whenever there’s a king tide, though he described the location itself as ideal and important for homeowners’ insurance policies.
- The assessment cited the island’s length, its single bridge, and a population of about 1,054 permanent residents (2022 census figure) that swells to an estimated 8,000 to 18,000 people a day in season.
- The early estimate was $3,375,000 for a smaller, roughly 7,042-square-foot station, with a stated margin of 30% to 40%. The current RFQ calls for a larger building, so expect that figure to change.
The Bigger Picture: How Brunswick County Pays for Fire Service
This is the part many buyers miss. In most of Brunswick County, fire protection is funded by a county fire fee charged to property owners. It is based on a building’s heated square footage (or acreage for vacant land), not on its tax value. Town residents may also pay municipal property taxes that support their department.
That system is under review. At its August 3, 2026 meeting, the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners approved, 4-1, a state-authorized increase in fire fee caps: up to 25% in fiscal year 2026-27 and up to 50% total by 2027-28. County officials stressed that this raises the maximum departments can charge and does not raise every bill automatically. The Brunswick Beacon has reported that the county is working toward a possible new funding model, potentially a fire tax based on property value, for fiscal year 2027-28, though no final decision has been made.
For island owners, that distinction matters. In the 2025 Beacon story, Holden Beach Mayor Alan Holden noted that island property values tend to run higher than the rest of the county, so a value-based fire tax could shift more of the cost onto beach towns. That’s still an open question, but it’s one to watch if you’re budgeting for ownership costs.
What It Means for Owners, Buyers, and Investors
Homeowners
A modern, staffed station on the island is a long-term plus for safety and for storm-season readiness. In the near term, keep an eye on your fire fee line and on county decisions next year. If you’re thinking about selling, buyers will ask about carrying costs, so it helps to have your recent fee and insurance numbers ready.
Buyers and Second-Home Buyers
When you’re running numbers on a Holden Beach property, ask your insurance agent how fire protection is rated for that address, and include the county fire fee in your annual cost estimate. Because the fee is based on heated square footage, a larger house generally carries a larger fee.
Investors
Vacation rental owners carry higher occupancy and more liability, so fire response matters even more for you. Factor possible fee changes for 2027-28 into your pro forma, and be wary of anyone who promises “lower insurance once the station opens.” No rating change has been announced, and the building hasn’t been designed yet.
What to Watch Next
- Selection of a design firm after the November 6 submission deadline
- Funding decisions and any cost updates at Holden Beach Board of Commissioners meetings
- Brunswick County’s fire funding recommendations ahead of fiscal year 2027-28
FAQ
Where will the new Holden Beach fire station be built?
The town’s RFQ lists the site as 574 Ocean Boulevard West, on the island. The town owns the facility, and Tri-Beach Fire Department would staff it under contract.
When will it open?
No opening date has been set. The town is selecting an architectural and engineering firm, with qualifications due November 6, 2026. Design, funding, and construction come after that.
Will my Brunswick County fire fee go up?
Not automatically. The county raised the maximum fees departments may charge, up to 25% this fiscal year and up to 50% total by 2027-28. Any actual increase depends on each department’s request and review.
Is Brunswick County switching to a fire tax?
Not yet. County officials have been studying a new funding model, possibly a property-value-based fire tax, for fiscal year 2027-28, but commissioners haven’t made a final decision.
Thinking about buying, selling, or investing on Holden Beach and want help sorting out the real cost of ownership, from fire fees to insurance to flood zones? Talk with Aspyre Collective. We follow these local decisions closely, so you can make your move with clear numbers.
