Free parking at Monument Lake is now a thing of the past.

The Monument Town Council officially passed an ordinance requiring parking permits at the popular lake on Monday. The daily fee will be $5.25, while town residents can purchase an annual pass for $50.

The idea for paid parking was originally brought to the council May 18. Monday’s ordinance was the result of considerable public feedback along with a work session held by the council.

“I think this represents a great compromise as to how we were able to meet the needs of the town as well as hear from our residents,” Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek said.

Day permits at the lake and the overflow lot will be available at two pay stations located on site. The kiosks will dispense a permit, which must be displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard.

VanDenHoek said the town would start the process for obtaining and installing the kiosks immediately. Fines for noncompliance will be $50 per violation.

Government vehicles conducting official business are exempt from the fee. Also exempt are vehicles loading and unloading for short durations.

The resident annual permit will be valid for the remainder of the current calendar year. No prorated option will be available. Proof of residency within town limits will be required.

Permits will be purchased at the water billing office at 259 Beacon Lite Road, but it will take some time to create the permits and make them available. VanDenHoek speculated that they would likely be available toward the end of the year or the beginning of 2027.

According to the ordinance, revenues will be deposited into a dedicated fund and used to offset costs at the lake that the town’s residents currently pay via taxes. VanDenHoek mentioned cleaning of restrooms, trash removal, making repairs due to vandalism and ordinary wear along with road grading and maintenance as expenses the town incurs at the lake.

“In order to keep the lake clean and nice, we do spend quite a bit of not only contract man-hours but also employee man-hours,” she said.

The town has estimated that the parking will bring in somewhere between $25,000 and $60,000 annually. VanDenHoek characterized that estimate as “pretty conservative.”

Monument Lake and the overflow lot have a combined 91 parking spaces.