Tiverton approves new beach parking, fishing rules; council directs signage, fines and enforcement

The Tiverton Town Council on an amended vote adopted two ordinances that regulate beach parking and designate where fishing is permitted at Grinnell’s and Fogland beaches, while directing the town administrator to post signage and work with fishing groups on placement.

The council approved changes to Chapter 78 (Traffic and Vehicles) to require parking fees or passes from May 1–Oct. 1, to prohibit vehicle beach parking nightly during the off-window the council set (10 p.m.–7 a.m. at specified locations), and to authorize electronic/web-based enforcement. Councilors also approved matching changes to Chapter 54 (Parks and Recreation) that make fishing legal only in areas designated by on-site signage; those signs must be placed by the town administrator after consultation with the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association.

The measures were the subject of extended public comment. Jamie French, a Craig Avenue resident, said the proposed fishing restrictions were confusing as written and urged the council to ensure signs are placed where people actually fish, including the pier/abutment commonly called the “fishing pier.” “It’s like playing Waldo,” French said of carriageing the signs; she urged that signage be placed at the pier and at other recognized fishing spots. Scott Drivers, executive director of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, told the council his group wants to partner with the town on sign location and volunteer cleanups and said the association maintains fishing-access sites in multiple coastal communities. “We would erect signage making people aware the [association] is involved in maintaining that area,” Drivers said.

Council debate focused on balancing public access and safety with enforcement. Several councilors and the recreation director described longstanding problems with overnight vehicle access at Grinnell’s and Fogland that left the town without effective enforcement tools during the busy season. The ordinance package creates a seasonal enforcement period and authorizes seasonal service officers and police to enforce parking rules. The council also amended the draft to correct typos, standardize date language across sections and clarify penalty language; the fine for violations was set in the ordinance text at $50.

Key changes approved include: signs that specify where fishing is permitted; a requirement that signs be posted by the town administrator after consultation with the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association; seasonal parking permits and electronic enforcement between May 1 and Oct. 1; prohibition on vehicle beach parking overnight in specified locations (with limited exceptions for permitted fishing activity at the Fogland Boat Ramp); and codified enforcement language including the $50 fine in the penalty provision. The council explicitly removed a clause that had referenced an older subsection number and corrected it to the current subsection for recreational-vehicle enforcement language.

The council voted to approve the ordinances as amended; council members recorded the motion and the meeting minutes show the measures passed. The town administrator said his office will place signage and coordinate with the Saltwater Anglers Association on sign locations and maintenance. Recreation staff will assist with implementation and seasonal staff will support enforcement during the May–October window.

Public next steps: the town administrator will supervise sign placement and work with the Saltwater Anglers Association on maintenance and fishing-area markers; the police department and seasonal service officers will be the primary enforcers of the new parking rules during the specified season.