Ocean Shores Permits

Ocean Shore State Recreation Area

The public has use of beaches along Oregon's 362-mile-long coastline as established by the 1967 Beach Bill. The Ocean Shore is administered as a state recreation area by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

OPRD regulates ocean shore activities as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rules including:

vehicle use, camping and other recreational activities
ocean shore alterations

In addition to administering a permit program for ocean shore alterations, OPRD reviews application permits for special events, such as large group gatherings, commercial filming and scientific research.

Permit Forms

OPRD recommends that you contact ocean shore permit staff prior to submission of an application to discuss the proposal and permitting options. Applications should be submitted at least 6 months in advance to allow for permit review, processing and a public comment period.

For permits (below) that are not submitted online, please submit a single hard copy version of the application and all attachments to Allison Mangini by mail at PO Box 2139, Waldport, OR 97394 or make an appointment by calling 541-220-3786 to deliver in-person at 1236 N Beaver Creek Rd, Seal Rock, Oregon.

Alteration Permits

For the application forms below that involve construction equipment or construction associated impacts on the ocean shore, applicants will need to provide sufficient information related to these activities as they are subject to the same review criteria as the specific alteration project types listed below. Since the application form focuses on the primary project type, OPRD has prepared guidance on topics and information to consider and include in your application. These are outlined in the “Ocean Shores Construction Impacts, Staging, and Public Safety Plan Guidelines.” [PDF]

Access Way & Other Miscellaneous Projects [PDF]

Pipelines, Cables or Conduits [PDF]

Sand Alteration [PDF]

Shoreline Protection Structure [PDF]

Please refer to the Guidebook on Erosion Control Practices of the Oregon Coast prior to reaching out with a proposal.

Emergency Alteration Permits

In the event of an emergency, OPRD may issue a permit for work necessary to provide immediate and temporary relief from an imminent threat. This provides for more time to pursue design and permitting of a permanent solution. The permit and more information is located on this page: click here.

Other permits

Request for construction equipment and staging on the ocean shore related to above permitted activities:

Drive on Beach Application Portal (for ADA access or associated with another permit).

Scientific research permits.

Please submit these requests at least 30 days in advance to allow for processing.

Pending Permits

You may access the permit application (PDF), Notice Period, Public Notice (PDF) and Public Hearing date (if applicable) in the table, below. If you do not see the entire table, you may expand it by using the plus (+) button. Applications are evaluated against the ocean shore alteration standards (OAR 736-020) and reviewed for consistency with the statewide planning goals and/or the acknowledged county comprehensive plan.

A public hearing before the Department will be held if 10 or more written requests for a hearing are received by the end of the 30-day notice period. If 10 written requests are received, a time and place will be set and notice thereof announced and posted. Written requests shall state the interests in the proposed project of the person making the request. The Department may schedule and hold a public hearing on any application on the Director's initiative. Written requests for a public hearing and comments should be sent to the Ocean Shore Permit Coordinator. Click here to get on the "interested parties" list for notifications about ocean shore alteration permits.

Permit Decisions

Ocean Shore permit decisions and finding of fact staff reports.

You may access the permit decisions and finding of fact staff reports (PDF). If you do not see the entire table, you may expand it by using the plus (+) button.

Note: Ocean Shore Permit 2900-18/Edge Cable Holdings, related to installation of a cable under the ocean shore, was involved in an accidental malfunction of the drilling equipment. Read more.