New parking restrictions are coming to downtown Bolinas and Stinson Beach to improve emergency access, as more significant changes to address high visitation wait in the wings. Last week, county planners approved coastal permits for new fire lanes, the removal of outdated signs and the conversion of existing no-parking zones into fire lanes that come with a $163 fine rather than a $99 fine. The changes impact seven roads in Stinson Beach and four roads in Bolinas. On July 13, supervisors will take a final vote for Stinson Beach and hear the ordinance for Bolinas. If all goes as planned, the Department of Public Works will install signs by September, civil engineer Reuel Brady said. The changes were spearheaded last year by the fire departments, which said first responders feared being unable to get a truck or an ambulance to an emergency. The Stinson Beach Fire Protection District wanted to see an even higher fine, pointing out that visitors have been willing to pay the fine for a day at the beach. A comparative analysis to other jurisdictions showed that $163 was as high as the fines could go, however. The Stinson Beach Village Association and the Bolinas Community Public Utility District support the new restrictions. Broader conversations about how to handle overwhelming visitation—either by limiting demand or increasing capacity—will take far longer and involve more stakeholders. “This is a first attempt to try and help with the situation,” Mr. Brady said. Ideas include constructing more parking, improving communications so visitors know when capacity is full or creating a satellite parking lot and shuttle service, which has shown success in Muir Woods. “Those all need to be investigated and looked at,” Mr. Brady said. “We see those as long-term solutions, but the county is definitely invested in coming up with a good plan that the community would support.” The National Park Service last year placed signs along Highway 101 warning drivers when Stinson Beach is full, and the parking lot is being reconfigured this year to fit more cars and improve traffic flow.