Motor Vehicle Permits
Buy your Motor Vehicle Permit
A permit is required at lakeshore parks and the Riverside Boat Launch from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Resident, senior, and veteran discounts available online only.
Tickets
Vehicles without a valid daily or annual permit will be ticketed. If you have received a citation, you must pay for it online.
Ottawa County Motor Vehicle Permits are required at the following locations from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Permit Pricing
Annual permits are $25; daily permits are $8.
Discounted annual permits are available to Ottawa County residents when purchased online or at our office. Residents seniors (60+), resident United States military members, including active duty and veterans, and residents of Port Sheldon Township are eligible for an additional discount when purchasing online.
| Fees | ||
| Annual Permit - single vehicle | $25 | |
| Daily Permit - single vehicle | $8 | |
| Ottawa County Resident Fees | ||
| Single vehicle | $15 | |
| Multi-vehicle (limited to 2) | $20 | |
| Senior or veteran/military single vehicle | $9 | |
| Senior or veteran/military multi-vehicle (limited to 2) | $12 | |
| Active Bridge Card holders in Michigan | Free | |
| Port Sheldon Township Resident Fees | ||
| Single vehicle | $10 | |
| Multi-vehicle (limited to 2) | $15 | |
| Senior or veteran/military single vehicle | $4 | |
| Senior or veteran/military multi-vehicle (limited to 2) | $7 | |
| The discount for residents of Port Sheldon is subsidized by the township. | ||
Active Bridge Card holders in Michigan can receive a free Ottawa County Parks annual motor vehicle permit!
- Limited to one permit per household.
- To receive a coupon code, inquire inside the DHHS office or call 616-394-7200 and press “0” to speak with an operator.
- Enter the coupon code into a pay station at one of the lakeshore parks listed below to receive your free annual permit ($25 value). Be sure to select ANNUAL PERMIT.
- Please note this coupon code does not work online, it must be done at a park.
How to Purchase
Online
- Purchase annual or daily motor vehicle permits from your phone or computer.
- Discounted permits available.
On-Site
- Pay stations are available at all lakeshore beach parks including Kouw Park, Windsnest Park, and the Riverside Park Boat Launch.
- Discounted permits are not available at pay stations because residency cannot be verified.
At Our Office
- Permits are available for purchase during business hours at the Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing or the Park’s Office at the Fillmore Complex.
- Cash, check, or credit cards accepted.
- You will need to provide the license plate number for each vehicle being registered, as well as your mailing address and date of birth.
- Discounted permits available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you know I've purchased my permit without a sticker or hangtag?
Ottawa County no longer issues physical permits (stickers or hangtags). Register your license plate online or at a park pay station to obtain a digital permit. The fee machines and mobile website will sync in real time with a handheld device used by park staff to verify permit status using your license plate number.
Vehicles without a valid daily or annual permit will be ticketed.
The website is telling me I have an invalid address. What should I do?
As you begin typing your address, matching results will appear below the field. Select your street address when it appears.
If you don’t see your address, delete one character at a time from the end of what you entered to broaden the search. Do not add extra details such as apartment or suite numbers unless they appear automatically, as this may prevent a match.
If your address still does not appear, it may not yet be in our system. Ottawa County residents can email ocparks@miottawa.org with their full address, and staff will follow up to assist.
Please note: Annual permits are available to Ottawa County residents only and require address verification.
How do I set up auto-renewal?
Log in to the Permit Dashboard at ottawacounty.cmrpay.com using the username and password you created when you purchased your permit. Click “manage” next to the permit you want to auto-renew. Then click “auto renew” and “enroll”. Enter your payment information and checkout. Now you are all set every year until you choose to log back in and cancel.
If your permit has expired, you will be unable to renew and will need to reenter your vehicle information for a new permit.
How do I update a license plate associated with my purchased permit?
To update a license plate associated with your purchased permit, follow these steps:
- Log in to your online account
- Go to the Permits Dashboard and select the Active Permits tab.
- Click Manage next to the permit you want to update.
- Select Permit Holder and Vehicle Information.
- Click Edit in the top right corner.
- Scroll to the Vehicle Info section and update your license plate number.
Single car permits can be edited but require approval before becoming active, usually within 1-2 days. Multi-vehicle permits can be edited, and the new plate number will be active immediately.
Do I need to register my vehicle or my boat trailer if I use the Riverside Park Boat Launch?
Please register the vehicle towing the trailer. No separate registration is needed for the boat trailer.
I have the Michigan Recreation Passport. Do I still need to purchase a permit?
Yes, you will need to purchase an Ottawa County Motor Vehicle Permit. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not apply for Ottawa County lakeshore parks.
I am a resident and pay taxes; why do I have to pay to get into certain parks or to use launches?
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Fees play a crucial role in our diverse funding strategy, which aims to reduce reliance on tax revenue for park support. Due to the high demand at lakeshore beach parks and certain boat launches during the summer months, additional staffing is required to manage these areas effectively. The revenue generated from permit fees helps improve your experience and maintain the quality of our lakeshore parks.This fee system also allows non-residents to help support the upkeep of these popular areas.
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Discounted permits are available to Ottawa County residents when purchased online or at our office. Ottawa County residents who are seniors (60+), United States military members, including active duty and veterans, and/or residents of Port Sheldon Township are eligible for an additional discount when purchasing online. The on-site fee stations cannot verify residency, so no discounted permits will be sold at these stations or at the park locations.
