Hilton Head neighborhood announces, then pauses, new fees for Instacart drivers
Hilton Head Plantation is considering changing the rules for grocery delivery drivers.
A previous update sent to residents Monday announced that the neighborhood would soon be returning to pre-COVID rules requiring grocery delivery drivers to purchase commercial passes.
The item is now “on hold,” as the Hilton Head Plantation Property Owners’ Association evaluates residents’ concerns, according to General Manager Peter Kristian.
“We are most grateful for all the feedback especially those property owners that provided thoughtful constructive comments and suggestions,” Kristian wrote in an email to The Packet.
After the changes were announced, Hilton Head Plantation residents expressed concerns that the new fees could make it more difficult for residents with disabilities to get their groceries.
HHP residents received an update Wednesday afternoon from Keith Schlegel, Board President of HHPPOA, announcing that board members and staff “have agreed to suspend” the implementation of the gate fee changes for delivery drivers.
According to the update, the Board of Directors will “review concerns regarding security and the delivery access policy” at an April 28 board meeting, after which any proposal may be passed along to the HHPPOA security committee.
No new gate fees for grocery or similar delivery drivers will be implemented on May 1, Schlegel wrote.
What the update said
In the original Monday emailed update, Pippi Iktor, Communications Coordinator for HHPPOA, shared that the neighborhood would return to pre-COVID commercial access procedures beginning May 1.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, HHPPOA “temporarily waived commercial pass fees for grocery deliveries to support resident safety and convenience,” Iktor wrote.
Grocery delivery drivers would need to purchase either a daily, monthly or yearly pass to enter Hilton Head Plantation, the update said. Drivers should be prepared to present their driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance to obtain a pass.
Daily commercial passes at Hilton Head Plantation are $18 for a four-wheel vehicle, such as a car, pickup truck or van, according to a price sheet posted online. A monthly pass is $80, and an annual pass is $260.
In the update, Iktor encouraged residents to share the information with their preferred grocery delivery services ahead of time to help avoid delays.
“We appreciate your help in keeping things running efficiently and smoothly for everyone,” Iktor wrote.
Why were residents concerned?
Katie McAllister, who has lived in Hilton Head Plantation for seven years, said she was “shocked” when she first got the notice of the new rules. She is one of many residents of the neighborhood using grocery services like Instacart.
“Many people in the neighborhood do it because of legitimate restrictions,” McAllister said. “You know, they’re disabled, or they’re home with a new baby, things like that.”
She was stunned when she received the notice that the pre-pandemic policy was being reverted. She argued that many grocery delivery services already vet their drivers, so she did not understand the purpose of putting an additional financial burden on them.
“For so many people in the area, this is their livelihood, whether it’s their primary income or they’re just helping make ends meet,” McCallister said. “If they have to buy passes, it’s no longer profitable for them to deliver to Hilton Head Plantation.”
This story was originally published April 1, 2026 at 12:59 PM.
