Bay County residents can use the Passport Customer Portal to apply for a free parking permit for the M.B. Miller County Pier in Panama City Beach. These permits are linked to the resident’s vehicle tag number. Every vehicle will need a free permit to park at no charge. Residents must upload a copy of their vehicle registration to verify their tag number and residency. The free permit process does not require residents to input credit card information.

To apply, log in or create an account on the Passport Customer Portal at baycountyfl.cmrpay.com. Select the "M.B. Miller Pier Annual Parking Pass for Bay County FL Residents" option under "Apply for a New Permit," and follow the steps to complete the application.

After obtaining a permit, no further action is needed, and no physical permit needs to be displayed in vehicles at the pier. The permit is valid for one year.

For assistance with the application process, residents can call Parks and Recreation at (850) 248-8730.

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UPDATE (August 6, 2024): Bay County residents may now park for no charge at the M.B. Miller Pier by validating their parking at the customer service window with a Bay County ID or vehicle registration. Residents may register their vehicles online for free parking in the coming days. Details on how to register will be added to this link when available. Residents who purchased an annual parking only pass can call Parks and Recreation at (850) 248-8730 for information about refunds. 

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Beginning Friday, April 12, visitors to the M.B. Miller Bay County Pier can use the Passport Parking app to pay for on-site parking at any of more than 300 spaces. The app, powered by mobility management company Passport, enables users to digitally pay for parking without using a meter or pay station.

“This new parking initiative ensures that the people who are using public parking at the pier are also helping pay for the continued maintenance and operations costs of the facility, rather than that expense being borne by all Bay County taxpayers,” Bay County Chief of Infrastructure Keith Bryant said.

The cost to park at the county pier is $2 an hour or $12 per day. Annual parking only passes may be purchased for $80 on baycountyfl.cmrpay.com. Annual fishing passes for both the city and county pier may be purchased for $120 and annual spectator passes for $90 at the Russell Fields Pier or at Frank Brown Park. The fishing and spectator passes for the pier include parking.

Signage featuring a QR code to download the Passport app will be placed throughout the parking lot, and users simply download the free app, create an account with their vehicle and payment information and start a parking session. When time expires, users are notified via text and have the option to extend the session without having to return from their vehicle.

County employees are installing the signage, tag readers, and enforcement cameras in-house, saving the county approximately $100,000 in program implementation costs. Annual pier and fishing passes, available for purchase by those who live or own property in Bay County, include the cost of parking for two vehicles.

The Passport Parking app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play. Users can also manage their parking online at passportparking.com.