Cape Cod Number Plates

The Cape & Islands plate has been around since 1996, featuring the Nauset lighthouse in Eastham. Proceeds from the special plate fees are supposed to go towards economic development on the Cape & Islands.  $28 out of the $50 Special Plate fee is divided among 5 Cape Cod and Islands agencies.

“Whether you live, vacation or plan to retire here, a Cape & Islands License Plate on your car tells the world how you feel about this special place.” Apparently a lot of people have a special feeling about this place because the special license plate has been very successful, to the tune of about $17 million dollars since its inception, averaging about $1 million a year.

Unlike most of the other special plates, whose proceeds go to charitable organizations, the Cape & Island plate’s proceeds are directed to non-profit agencies that are primarily engaged in business development.

By legislation, the money is split between only 5 agencies, with the lion’s share going to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Economic Development Council (CCEDC).  The Lower Cape Cod Development Corporation, the Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard Chambers get the smallest shares.