Visitors to Greenwich, Conn., Must Now Pay to Use Beaches

This wealthy New York suburb adopted an ordinance Thursday forcing out-of-towners who want to visit its beaches to pay $408 in permits.

The Greenwich Board of Selectmen voted, 2 to 1, in favor of the seasonal passes, with no option for visitors to buy a day pass. Greenwich previously had a residents-only beach policy, which the state Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in July.

Stamford attorney Brenden Leydon had brought the case to the court after being turned away while attempting to jog on a beach in 1995. Leydon said the seasonal pass was still elitist and promised to bring the issue back to court.

Leydon said the law “clearly violates the letter and the spirit” of the court ruling.

Supporters say the plan represents costs paid by residents’ property taxes to maintain the pristine beaches.

It requires a nonresident to buy a seasonal pass for $308, and another $100 to park a vehicle. Pass holders could bring guests for $6 each, but would be limited to 30 guest passes.