What happens when paradise meets policy? That’s the question stirring tensions in Incline Village, an affluent lakefront community on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.
The spark? A new decision to let local workers—yes, the same folks who keep the town’s restaurants, ski slopes, and utilities running—step onto the community’s previously exclusive private beaches.
Incline Village Opens Its Beaches to Workers
After decades of keeping its sandy shores reserved solely for homeowners and their guests, Incline Village is shifting gears.
In a recent meeting, the board that oversees the town voted to give seasonal and full-time employees (and their families) beach access once again.
The idea, championed by trustee David Noble, is part of a new “Employee Pass Program” aimed at supporting the very workers who keep the town running behind the scenes.
“To me, it’s the right thing to do,” Noble said during the board meeting, noting that it’s also a smart way to attract and retain staff.
Not Everyone Is on Board
Unsurprisingly, not all residents are thrilled about sharing their sandy playground.
Some homeowners, who pay around $655 annually to maintain the private beach, feel blindsided.
Trustee Ray Tulloch, a longtime resident, argued that this move risks violating the beach’s deed, which dates back to 1968 and strictly limits access to property owners, their tenants, and guests.
“It puts the whole beach deed at risk,” Tulloch warned.
“I’m not sure why owners should be paying for a private facility that’s then opened up to the world.”
One Resident Claims It’s a Disaster Waiting to Happen
Frank Wright, a vocal resident from nearby Crystal Bay, didn’t mince words during the meeting’s public comment period. “The exclusive beaches will become public,” he fumed.
“You’re going to have a nightmare on your hands. The people in town are going to rebel.”
Wright has long opposed employee access to the beach, citing past concerns about violating the deed and arguing that workers who live outside the district should not be allowed on the property.
He’s unsuccessfully run for trustee multiple times, and his stance hasn’t wavered.
A History of Restriction and a Push for Change
Incline Village employees actually had beach access for years—until January 2023, when the board revoked it.
At the time, trustees sided with residents like Wright, arguing the policy could open the board up to lawsuits or legal violations under the original beach deed.
Since then, even employees working on the beach—lifeguards, maintenance crews, and snack bar staff—have had to leave during their lunch breaks.
Noble pointed out how strange it is to keep workers off the very property they help maintain.
The Reality Is: Most Employees Rarely Use the Beach
Despite the uproar, data shows workers barely impact overall beach use.
In 2022, employees and their families accounted for just 1.5% of total visits.
Noble insists the beach will remain exclusive: “Nobody will notice whether they’re there or not there,” he said.
The board ultimately voted in favor of the access plan, with only Tulloch dissenting.
But there’s a catch—they’ll need homeowner participation.
Homeowners Might Be the Key to Making It Happen
To stay in line with the deed, the board plans to ask homeowners if they’re willing to sponsor employees as their personal guests.
If enough residents agree, the beach gates will open—legally.
Rob Watson, a property owner, is already on board.
“As any competent executive knows, the employees of a company are their most valuable assets,” he told the board. “These are our employees.”
What Access Actually Includes
If the plan goes through, workers and their families will be able to enjoy the beach’s many perks: pristine sand, cool lake waters, an outdoor pool with a waterslide, playgrounds, BBQ areas, kayak rentals, a boat launch, and more.
For now, Incline Village stands at a crossroads—between preserving exclusivity and recognizing the people who help make life in paradise possible.