As the tourist season is upon us, it is always good to review beach rules for the City of Gulf Shores. The City Council or departments of the city may provide new rules or adjust existing. Keep the reference guide to provide potential visitors who ask questions on social media or other locations.

These answers were provided directly from the City of Gulf Shores:

The City of Gulf Shores Beach Safety Division strives to provide the best beach experience for all residents and visitors year-round. The City provides seasonal lifeguard services between March and October and encourages the public to swim at the protected public swimming areas when lifeguards are present. 

There are currently eight public beach access locations in Gulf Shores:

• Lagoon Pass
• West 13th Street
• West 12th Street
• West 10th Street
• West 6th Street
• West 5th Street 
• West 4th Street
• Gulf Place West and East Beach

The City of Gulf Shores has the pleasure of offering residents with current Hurricane Re-Entry / Beach Parking Decals free parking at all paid City public parking lots. For guests and visitors who do not have a Hurricane Re-Entry / Beach Parking Decal, we offer a variety of paid parking and free parking areas. 

Paid Parking Locations

Pay stations are in place from March 1 through November 30 each year. These pay stations accept cash and credit cards, however, do not issue change. Once a payment has been processed, a receipt will be printed showing the payment date. Patrons should display this receipt on the dashboard of their vehicle so parking attendants can easily identify relevant information. While individual parking spaces are not reserved, patrons may come and go with access to available spaces being granted for the valid date on the receipt. 

The $15 all-day pass runs from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Passes are good for the day of purchase and can move between lots throughout the day and park for no additional fee if there is a space available. Permits are NON-TRANSFERABLE. 

The City of Gulf Shores operates a pay-and-display parking system in the following public beach parking locations: 

• Gulf Place (main public beach area)
• $5 for 4 hours
• $15 all-day
• West Gulf Place
• $15 all-day
• West 5th Street
• $5 for 4 hours
• $15 all-day
• West 6th Street
• $15 all-day
• West 10th Street
• $15 all-day
• West 13th Street
• $15 all-day
• Lagoon Pass
• $15 all-day

Gulf Shores Residents Park for Free

City of Gulf Shores Corporate Limits residents and people who own property within the Corporate Limits and who have a valid Hurricane Re-Entry / Beach Parking Pass may park at all paid public parking locations without payment. Hurricane Re-Entry / Beach Parking Passes must be clearly displayed and permanently affixed on the driver's side of the front windshield of the vehicle at the time of parking.

Free Parking Locations

Free locations include on-street parking in the following locations:

• East 1st Avenue
• East 1st Street 
• East 2nd Street
• West 1st Avenue
• West 2nd Avenue
• West 1st Street
• West 2nd Street
• West 5th Street North of Beach Boulevard
• West 12th Street

Are pets allowed on the beach?

PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED on any of the sand beaches in Gulf Shores, or at any of the Gulf Shores Public Beach areas, including Gulf Place. The Gulf Shores Dog Park offers a perfect location to enjoy the outdoors with your four-legged friend.

How can I get married on the beach?

As a rule, weddings are not allowed on the Gulf Shores public beaches. If you are renting a private beach house or condominium, and have the permission of the owners to conduct a wedding, no permits are required from the City. You do need to make your guests aware, however, that they cannot park on the road rights-of-way. No chairs, gazebos, arches, etc. are allowed to be placed on the public beaches. Gulf State Park, located in Gulf Shores, has a pavilion that is perfect for family and group outings, reunions, beach parties and sunset weddings. Rental is available 7 days a week, except major holiday weekends during the summer. For more information on pavilion rentals or to having a wedding on Gulf State Park beaches (permit required), call 251-968-7296 or 968-7245 Wednesday - Sunday. Contact the City Clerk's office at 251-968-1124 for more information from the City of Gulf Shores.

Tent and Shelter Regulations

• Per our City ordinance, tents and shelters are defined as any tent, shelter, canopy, cabana, windscreen, or other supported ground cover or enclosure and shall also mean the frame, support, poles, guy lines, and other support features for a tent or shelter when the covering is not attached. 
• Tents and shelters larger than 7 feet by 7 feet and taller than 4 feet are not allowed on public beaches unless the tents/structures are placed in the designated area at Gulf Place. Individual property owners may allow tents and shelters on private property north of the City of Gulf Shores pole markers provided. 
• We recommend the use of single pole beach umbrellas to fully enjoy our beautiful white-sand beaches.
• Any structures or equipment left on the beach an hour after sunset until sunrise will be removed and disposed of by beach patrol (except for permitted beach services). If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact the Gulf Shores Public Works Department at 251-968-1156.