Beaches

Biddeford has three public beaches along the ocean: Fortune’s Rocks Beach, Middle Beach, and Biddeford Pool (Gilbert R. Boucher Park). Lifeguards are on duty at each beach from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in season. Beach permits are required to park in any of the parking lots or on-street areas mentioned below from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. between June 15 and Labor Day each year. Our lots are patrolled and beach permits are verified regularly.

There is no parking in any of the beach parking lots after 9:00 p.m. or before 5:00 a.m.

Purchase Permits Online

Purchasing Beach Permits

For Summer 2023, you will NOT be issued a beach permit sticker to display. Your license plate number will be used to confirm your permit registration. Beach permits are not transferrable from one vehicle to another. 

Resident Beach Permits

First Vehicle: $35

Additional Vehicle Registered at Same Address: $20

Residents ages 65 and older: $20

Service Fee for Online Purchases: $2.50 (Note: this fee is charged by our online purchasing service provider and is not a City fee.)

Non-Resident Beach Permits

Season Permit: $245

7-Day Permit: $140

3-Day Permit: $75

1-Day Permit: $35

7-Day and 3-Day permits are valid for consecutive days only.

Note: Non-resident permits have restricted parking hours of 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. in the lower lot at Biddeford Pool and in the Middle Beach parking lot.


Ways to Purchase

Resident or Non-Resident Season Permits

Purchase Online

To purchase a Resident beach permit, you must attach/upload a copy of a VALID VEHICLE REGISTRATION for the vehicle(s) listed on the permit. If the vehicle registration(s) does not show a physical street address in Biddeford, you must also attach/upload proof of Biddeford residency (tax bill, utility bill, lease, etc.)

Once your beach permit has been approved, you will receive a confirmation email. Please print out a copy of the confirmation email and display it in the vehicle’s front windshield, driver’s side, with the plate number visible. You will NOT be issued a beach permit sticker.

Purchase Permits Online

Purchase at the City Clerk's Office

Permits can be purchased in-person at the City Clerk's Office during regular business hours. At the time of purchase, you must provide the registration of the vehicle that you would like to register for a permit. Permits purchased in person will be valid immediately after purchase.

1-Day, 3-Day and 7-Day Non-Resident Permits

Purchase at Kiosks

1-Day, 3-Day, and 7-Day Non-Resident Permits can be purchased from the kiosks located in each of the beach parking lots.


Beaches in Biddeford

Fortune’s Rocks Beach

This beach is a local favorite for surfers. Permit parking is available in the striped spaces along Fortunes Rocks Road. Port-a-potties are available in season.

Middle Beach

Middle Beach has limited permit parking available in the Beach Avenue Lot. 

Biddeford Pool (Gilbert R. Boucher Park)

Permit parking for Biddeford Pool is available at Gilbert R. Boucher Memorial Park. This beach has a bathhouse which is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in season and includes restrooms and showers.

Rotary Park Beach

Rotary Park, located along the Saco River at 550 Main Street, has a swimmer’s beach with seasonal lifeguards. Parking permits are not required to access this beach.


Dogs on Beaches

Dogs are completely prohibited on the City’s public beaches between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from May 25 to September 15.

No unleashed dog is allowed on any of the City’s public beaches from March 15 to September 15. Unleashed dogs under voice command are allowed on the City’s public beaches all day from September 16 to March 14.

Dogs may not use any part of the Rotary Park beach between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. from May 25 to September 15 of each year.

Yellow "surf rescue" surfboard lies in front of dune grass as a bird flies overhead.
Moon rises over Fortune's Rocks Beach at sunset.