Friday, November 13, 2026
Dogs on the beach and long-awaited parking changes highlighted the Long Beach City Council’s agenda at its regular meeting on Nov. 4.
Delayed by Election Day, the meeting included public hearings on an ordinance permitting dogs on the sand and two parking recommendations from Desman Parking Consultants, a New York City-based consulting firm that helps municipalities improve parking.
The Council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance establishing a pilot program permitting dogs on the beach, retroactive to Nov. 1 through April 15, 2027 — but not before hearing a range of opinions from residents. Some expressed concerns about sanitation and quality of life.
Laura Kelly, who said she loves dogs, opposed allowing them on the beach, highlighting health concerns and a lack of accountability among dog owners as risks. Kelly said she has had to pick up waste left by other dogs and their owners.
“E. coli, bacteria, viruses and parasites can all be transmitted by dog feces to humans as well as animals and the wildlife that we have here in Long Beach,” Kelly said. “Long Beach was recently named one of the best beaches by Travel and Leisure, and I think that we should try and keep our beaches pristine and healthy for wildlife.”
Elon Letterer, a student who attends Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns, in Lawrence, said that allowing dogs on the beach outside the summer months was a reasonable request. Letterer said he takes his dog on frequent walks.
“Allowing dogs on the beach would give kids and teens a reason to put down their phones, get some fresh air and stay active, even during the colder months when attempting to stay inside,” he said. “I understand that there may be concerns about cleanliness and safety, but those can be addressed with reasonable rules.”
The pilot program received support from a petition with more than 2,000 signatures, created by resident Lisa Gorenberg.
City Councilman George Ennis announced the rules of the program: Dogs must be leashed at all times, be up to date on rabies vaccinations, be accompanied by an owner or handler of suitable age, wear a valid state dog license and have a city permit while on the beach. All dog waste must be picked up and placed in trash cans. And dogs will still not be permitted on the boardwalk, except when a handler is bringing a dog directly to the beach.
Ennis, a dog owner himself, said the council understood residents’ concerns, and would ensure that people comply with the rules. “The city of Long Beach reserves the right to revoke any dog permit for failure to comply with all rules and regulations as outlined,” he said.
Permit applications for both residents and nonresidents are available at longbeachny.gov/cityclerk, or by calling (516) 431-1002. The cost is $25 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. Fines for failing to comply with the rules will range between $250 and $1,000, at the city court’s discretion.
Implementing two parking recommendations
Following the recommendations of Desman Parking Consultants, which conducted a study last fall, the council voted unanimously to create new regulations for summer-season metered parking in five West End municipal lots, and at the street ends along the boardwalk between Grand and Riverside boulevards. In both the lots and street ends, in-season hourly parking will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., the spaces would be reserved for residents’ vehicles with city permits. There will be a two-hour limit. The same rules apply for off-season parking, which runs from Nov. 1 through April 30. City Manager Dan Creighton said the meter rates had not yet been set, but the city was considering a rate of 25 cents per 15 minutes.
“The idea is to create turnover and availability of these spots for transient users so they are not parking on residential streets,” Creighton said. “We’re not looking to set a punitive fee — just change behavior of parkers to hopefully improve conditions for our residents.”
