Aug. 4 (Bloomberg) -- New Jersey beachgoers say it's bad enough that they have to squeeze through traffic jams, buy $4-a- gallon gasoline, and trudge from a parking spot far from the water. Then they must pay to set foot on the sand.

The state's 127-mile (204-kilometer) coast on the Atlantic Ocean has 43 communities with public beaches, and all but five charge swimmers, sunbathers and picnickers for entry. Ten of them increased fees this year, by an average of almost 20 percent, according to a report from the Public Advocate's office. Admission is as much as $12 a day.

First-timers to the Jersey Shore are surprised because they've never had to pay at beaches in other states, said Megan Fitzgerald, who works on the beach in Belmar. Longtime visitors also complain, and argue for an overhaul of the system.

``The beaches are owned by the citizens of New Jersey,'' said Lou DeVoto, 43, who has a summer home in Ocean City. ``The fact that you have to pay to get on the beach while it's public land to begin with is ridiculous.''

While beaches are free along the West Coast, fees are imposed on the Eastern Seaboard and are most common in New Jersey, said John Weber, northeast director of the Surfrider Foundation, an environmental group based in San Clemente, California.

New Jersey allows oceanfront municipalities to collect fees so they can cover the cost of cleanup, lifeguards and amenities such as washrooms.

Beach Badges

Each community issues its own plastic tag, which experienced visitors know to keep pinned to their bathing suit or close at hand. Daily tags cost at least $4 for adults, while children are admitted free. Residents, vacationers and day- trippers all must pay.

``It's a crowded beach still, and you're not really getting anything special,'' said Adam North, 32, chaperoning campers at Avalon, which raised its badge rate to $6 from $5. ``They keep fleecing the public out of more money.''

Belmar, 60 miles south of Manhattan, would have to raise taxes and slash beach services if it didn't sell tags, Mayor Kenneth Pringle said. The one-square-mile resort town's population of 7,000 jumps to more than 60,000 during the summer.

``People have a tendency to think that Belmar or other Shore towns are profiting off the beaches,'' but that isn't allowed by law, he said. Last year's $2.9 million of badge revenue is kept separate from the town's fund for year-round costs such as garbage collection, Pringle said.

Fee Structure

Communities considering rate increases are guided by Belmar's experience in 1989. It was sued by the Public Advocate, the state's ombudsman, who argued that daily fees discriminated against non-residents because they were so much costlier than seasonal passes.

A judge ruled against Belmar, which reduced its fees at the time to $3.25, from $5 to $8. It now charges $7 a day.

Scott Wahl, a spokesman for Avalon, said it's illegal to offer an exemption or discount only to local residents.

``Everybody pays the same or nobody pays,'' he said.

Some beachgoers object because each badge is good for only one stretch of sand. Sharon Palumma, 37, of Howell, bought a $60 season pass for Manasquan. She had to purchase a different tag to take her children to Belmar.

``I pay a lot in taxes,'' Palumma said. ``One badge should get you on all beaches.''

State Assemblyman John Wisniewski said he plans to push for regional or statewide beach fees when the Legislature returns to session in September.

``People have to make an economic decision about where they want to go the beach, and that's not fair,'' Wisniewski said.

Tourism Revenue

More than two-thirds of the $38 billion that tourism generated in New Jersey last year was spent at or near the Shore, according to a state report. Some scenes in HBO's ``The Sopranos'' show about a New Jersey crime family were filmed at the Shore. Governor Jon Corzine has no position on beach fees, said Jim Gardner, a spokesman.

Mantoloking, the only beach charging $12 for one day, doesn't provide lifeguards, restrooms, showers or changing rooms. It uses the revenue for cleanup, maintenance, administrative costs and badge-checker pay, said Irene Ryan, municipal clerk.

``You hope and think your money is going for a good cause,'' said Donna Fontanazzi, 42, of Bordentown, during a visit to Avalon. ``Some of these fees are so exorbitant.''

Chasing a Bargain

People who want a free beach can head south, where the state's five no-fee ocean beaches are clustered, including casino town Atlantic City and Wildwood, known for its boardwalk and amusement rides. Two bay beaches and one river beach also are free.

``If you want to go to a free beach, you can find them,'' said Anna Norcia, 21, of Point Pleasant, who was visiting Manasquan. They're a long drive, though, and their amenities aren't as nice, she said.

Laura Glomski, 45, of Suffern, New York, said she doesn't mind paying for Belmar because it's cleaner.

``It's money well spent,'' Glomski said. ``I don't see any cigarettes. I don't see booze.''

Or there's California. All beaches along that state's 1,100-mile coastline are free, said Sara Christie, legislative liaison for its Coastal Commission.

To contact the reporter on this story: Terrence Dopp in Trenton, New Jersey, at tdopp@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: August 4, 2008 00:00 EDT