📝2025: Oregon Coast Vacation STR Permits, Licenses, Rules & Regulations by City

[AJ Wong]

I put together an updated 2025 Oregon Coast Vacation Rental STR (AirBNB) Permit & License Rules & Regulation Overview that I share clients and colleagues with zoning questions about: where, when and how they can operate nightly vacation rentals from Brookings to Astoria - hopefully it helps investors avoid unrealistic permit or licensing expectations. Please note: this is just an overview - there are always exceptions to the rules and specific prospects STR usages should ALWAYS be directly confirmed with the planning department or jurisdiction responsible for permit/license issuance. ✅

Operating a nightly short-term vacation rental (STR) on the Oregon Coast requires a permit or license. Below is a city-by-city breakdown of where owning and operating a single family AirBNBs is still feasible:

🚙South to North:

• Brookings: Permitted with specific zoning code only - usually on the very west side of town.
• Gold Beach: Generally restrictive - permitted in commercially zoned areas or outside city limits with a Curry County permit.
• Bandon: Allowed within designated STR zones near Beach Loop, provided the area isn't oversaturated with active vacation rentals (typically less than 30% active STRs nearby) licenses DO NOT transfer at sale and therefore many active STRs cannot continue to operate not subject to a wait. There are rare 'grandfathered' exceptions for VRD (Vacation Rental Dwellings) that have operated before the current permit rules were enacted. STR permits are also attainable outside city limits with Coos County - though the process may take months due to waste and water system inspections.
• Coos Bay & North Bend: Subject to Coos County regulations, including a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) and healthy department inspections. Restrictions apply based on proximity to existing STRs.
• Florence: Currently no STR regulations or HOA restrictions as of Q1 2025. Proposed regulations may be forthcoming.
• Yachats: Generally a no-go zone as there is an extensive STR waitlist. County properties may qualify.*
• Waldport: Permitted within city limits. Bayshore area north of the bridge is no longer permissible. Properties located within Lincoln County can qualify on a case by case basis but generally limited eligibility.
• Newport: Generally not permitted except in specific tourist, commercially zoned areas - typically in the historic Nye Beach area. Condos and condohotels can qualify*
• Depoe Bay: Mostly restricted, with exceptions in specific commercial tourist zones - there is also a new construction luxury community that permits vacation rental usages outright.
• Lincoln City: Highly restrictive with the exception of commercial and coastal tourist zones and - Olivia Beach which permits nightly vacation rental usages outright. The Road's End exception expired in 2024. R1.5+ zoning is technically eligible but subject to a county waitlist with an estimated wait time exceeding 24 months.
• Lincoln County: Certain subareas are subject to a waitlist; eligibility is very property-specific and goes through the Sheriff's Office.
• Tillamook County: Recent amendments have purged waitlists in many subareas. Notable areas are at capacity but have shorter waitlists projected for 2025. Actively licensed properties permits can transfer.
• Nehalem, Cape Meares, and UGB zone of Rockaway Beach: Subject to waitlists or have available slots as of January 15, 2024.
• Manzanita: R2 and R3 zones are waitlisted. No waitlist for R4, Commercial, and LC zones as of April 2025.
• Cannon Beach: Limited to one occupancy every 14 days. Unlimited licenses have been suspended - very occasional 'grandfathered' or commercially zoned properties do exist*
• Arch Cape: Restricted to one occupancy every 7 days.
• Rockaway Beach: New STR cap implemented. Active STR licenses can transfer; new licenses are subject to a waitlist.
• Pacific City: Permitted based on zoning and saturation of neighboring STRs. Active licenses can transfer.
• Seaside: Permitted west of US101 ('Redline'), subject to saturation and landscaping requirements. Some condos are excluded.
• Astoria: Generally restricted with the exception of commercially zoned properties.

🏄🏽‍♂️ Stay Coastal.

Note: Regulations are subject to change. Always consult local city or county planning departments for the most current information.

[Michael Baum]

Whew @AJ Wong! It appears to be a real mess.