Things are getting back to normal along the white sandy beaches of coastal Alabama and officials are waiting on guests to arrive.

With spring break just around the corner, paid parking at Gulf Shores beaches will resume, beginning March 1.

“Paid beach parking goes back into effect at Gulf Place, West Second Street and West Sixth Street,” said Grant Brown, Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs for the city. “The parking pay stations will return to the beach later this week.”

According to a city ordinance, visitors to the beach are charged at these lots between March 1 and the end of September.

“The fee this year will be $5 for the entire day, which is a little bit of a change from last year,” Brown said. “Last year we did a pay by space, $1 an hour up to $5 for the day. We have gone away from that. The benefit is that if you go there for the day, and you want to drive somewhere to get something to eat, your ticket is good for the day, so you find a space and you can resume your parking.”

Brown said there are still a number of spaces on the north side of the highway where free parking is available.

“It is a convenience fee that people are paying to park in the beach lots, and the money goes back into the operations. It is very expensive to maintain the beaches and to have the beach patrol down there.”

Another addition this summer will be the police department bicycle patrols, which will be enforcing the parking ordinance.

According to Brown, the city recently mailed out hurricane decals to all residents which will act at their beach parking sticker. Last year, residents had to get a beach parking decal if they were not issued a hurricane decal.

“When the county went to a zone system, it meant that all Gulf Shores residents would be receiving the hurricane decal which will act as their parking decal.”

Brown said residents were mailed two decals, and up to an additional three decals could be purchased at city hall after March 1 for $10.

“We also want to remind everyone that last year a tent ordinance was passed by the city council, and certain locations on the beaches are not available for people to place tents. There is a line, designated by posts.”

On public beaches, tents are not allowed at all. Small pop-up canopies that are 7’x7’ or smaller may be used, but the larger typical tents are not allowed on the beach.

“This is to make sure that we have adequate ability to run our beach cleaning machines, and that our safety vehicles have clear access as well.”

Brown said glass is never allowed on the beach.

“Our beaches are as clean as ever with the deep cleaning process we have just completed. So whatever was buried from previous tourists, whether it was glass bottles or tin cans, all of that is gone. Also, no pets are allowed on the beach.”