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 recommendeds 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 processing.

Alteration Permits

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.

Other permits

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.