Ocean County seeks priority access for NJ residents to Island Beach permits Jen Ursillo Published: November 20, 2025 Island Beach State Park (NJ DEP/Canva)

🚙 Ocean County commissioners want NJ residents get first access to Island Beach State Park vehicle permits before out-of-staters snap them up.

🏖️ Limited beach-driving passes sell out in minutes, leaving many NJ taxpayers without access.

🗳️ County leaders call for a state-approved priority window that protects resident access while keeping parks open to out-of-state visitors.

SEASIDE PARK — New Jersey residents should have first dibs at obtaining vehicle beach passes at Island Beach State Park before sales open to out-of-state applicants, according to the Ocean County Board of Commissioners .

NJ residents losing out as

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