Riverhead has a new way to purchase beach parking stickers online. Here’s how to do it.

Riverhead Recreation Department has launched a new system for residents to purchase the parking stickers needed to park at town beaches.

Beach stickers are now available for purchase online through a new portal accessible through the recreation department’s website.

Stickers may still be purchased with cash at Riverhead beaches, but debit and credit card purchases can now only be made using the online portal.

“You can do it online from your home, you can do it online from the beach, you can have your sticker mailed to you,” said Recreation Superintendent Ray Coyne. “You can pick up your sticker even after you purchase it at any of the beaches or at either the recreation department or the senior center. There’s so many different ways you can get your beach sticker — we tried to make it as easy as possible.” 

The new system will also send residents an email at the end of each season to prompt them to renew their beach stickers for the next year.

Beaches opened last weekend during warm weather, causing what Coyne described as “the busiest weekend we’ve had probably in a decade.” There were some “hiccups” caused by some people not knowing about the new system, he said, which caused lines of cars at some beaches as people filled out the online form to pay.

To create an account, residents must fill out the information needed to register a beach sticker, including the resident’s license and car registration. If the resident’s Riverhead address is not reflected on their license, the resident may submit either a property tax bill or a current utility bill for proof of residence.

Several other permits can also be obtained through the new portal, including permits for boat launches, night fishing, special events, and for docking at East Creek marina. (Go directly to the online system here.)

Coyne expects a smoother experience at town beaches this weekend. Attendants at the beaches will direct vehicles without stickers to park in temporary spots, allowing residents to fill out the online form and purchase their permits without obstructing other cars coming to the beach, he said.

Beach permits are only available to residents. Bronze permits, which cover only parking, cost $20 for residents and $5 for residents over age 60.

Coyne said the recreation department has sold approximately 3,000 beach stickers so far this year.

“We’re going to be very vigilant with the non-residents this year,” Coyne said. “Our beach attendants will be contacting law enforcement or code enforcement if they locate anybody in the parking lot without a sticker.”

Cars without a beach sticker will be fined $100, Coyne said.

Residents can keep up to date on the latest recreation programs in Riverhead by signing up for the recreation department’s Alert Media notifications on its website or by texting TORParksRec to (631) 364-0517.