Ocean Shore Alterations

Background:

In 1967 the “Beach Bill” was signed into law to establish the Ocean Shore State Recreation Area to protect Oregon’s beaches and coastline for public use and enjoyment.  Oregon Statute provides that “Unless a permit therefor is granted …, no person shall make an improvement on any property that is within the ocean shore” and “that it is in the public interest to do whatever is necessary to preserve and protect scenic and recreational use of Oregon’s ocean shore.”  These and other mandates are implemented by OPRD through the ocean shore alteration permit process, which regulates construction and building related activities on the ocean shore like installing, maintaining, and repairing beach accesses, shoreline protection (e.g. nature based solutions, rip rap, seawall), dune grading, and other alteration activities. 

During 2025 and 2026, OPRD will be updating rules relating to the ocean shore alteration permitting process. The existing rules have not been updated in 25+ years.  Updates will include things like new and updated language to implement the recently adopted HB2925, reorganization, modernization, and clarification of existing rules, and development of new sections to fill in areas of rules that are currently missing.  Topics will include application requirements and processing, emergency and general authorizations, enforcement, and fees.