Boaters in Allenstown began to notice last summer that parking spots at the Pelissier Boat Launch had been filled with out-of-state license plates.

Parking at the boat launch is meant for locals only, and that unwritten rule seemed to deter outsiders from parking there in past years, leaving plenty of spots for Allentown residents to get their boats in the water where the Merrimack River meets the Suncook River.

Apparently, though, non-residents have been using the area in increasing numbers, causing officials to seek a solution that they hope will solve the problem next summer: stickers, free of charge, affixed to windshields of Allenstown residents.

The select noard approved the measure at a public meeting this month. The stickers would be available at the Town Hall if the ordinance passes at the annual Town Meeting.

“This was built with town funds, so the economic development committee had people complaining that they couldn’t find parking spaces,” said Derik Goodine, Allenstown’s town administrator. “We cleared out some space during COVID, when there was more use because people wanted to get outside for outdoor recreation. People here were saying, ‘Hey, this our beach.’ ”

The Economic Development Committee began working on something in writing about three months ago. Another public hearing was held last month, before the recent meeting opened the door leading to the final approval at Town Meeting in March.

The ordinance reads, “The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate the use of the boat launch at the Merrimack River at the end of Ferry Street. . . within the Town of Allenstown to ensure the safety, orderly use, and maintenance of the facility.”

It continues: “Free Use for Allenstown residents: before using the boat launch, the resident must apply for a free sticker at town hall. Stickers are required to be placed on all vehicles. No vehicle without a sticker shall enter the property.”

Residents who are ticketed because they hadn’t picked up their stickers could bring the ticket to the Town Hall at a later date to avoid a fine.

At the meeting, residents worried that an out-of-state boater could borrow a sticker, valid from April 1 to Nov. 1, and use it to enter the launch.

But loose stickers won’t be accepted and instead will “firmly be affixed to the vehicle and must be renewed annually,” according to the proposed ordinance.

Adding the license plate number to the sticker would also help weed out cheaters, and signs that clearly spell out the rules would be posted.

A resident suggested a steep fine, perhaps $1,000, to serve as a punishment with teeth.

“A large enough fine where people are going to think twice about it,” the resident said. “If you do a $1,000 fine, you’re going to be like, ‘I’m not paying $1,000.’ ”

Allenstown Police Chief Mike Stark would have the final say as to law enforcement’s strategy on ticketing if the ordinance is implemented. Stark could not be reached for comment.

While residents wouldn’t be charged for a sticker, officials worry that a big family outing could be disappointing if the policy wasn’t followed.

“We don’t want someone to load up on the boat with family and then notice that a sticker is needed,” Goodine said. “People must get a sticker and get used to it.”