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Waterway Access Permit FAQs

Waterway Access Permit Information


Paddlecraft (SUPs, rafts, drift boats, kayaks, canoes, etc.) 10 feet long and longer will need to purchase and be able to digitally display (or have a print copy), one permit per boat, when in use. 

​The Marine Board offers two permit purchasing options through our Boat Oregon Store:

  • A one year permit, valid for the current calendar year (expires December 31) for $17 and;

  • A two year permit, valid for the current and next calendar years (expires December 31 of the year after purchased) for $30. 

Three permit purchasing options are available through ODFW's electronic licensing system (ELS), MyODFW app or any ODFW licensed agent:

  • ​A one week permit (valid for 7 consecutive days of your choice) for $7
  • One year permit for $19
  • Two year permit for $32 ​​​

*The Marine Board permits are available as a PDF that can be downloaded or printed. The ODFW permits are available for printing or as electronic permits in the MyODFW app on your mobile device.​

Online​ - You can purchase a one OR two-year permit from the Boat Oregon Store.  Permits are valid for a calendar year and expire on December 31st of the year purchased. 

*Be sure to purchase your permits early in the year to get your maximum use and to download the PDF and print the permit or have it ready to display on your mobile device for marine law enforcement​. ​​

OR  

*Note: ODFW charges an additional $2 transaction fee and OSMB's eCommerce provider will be charging an additional $1.50 transaction fee.

We advise boaters to buy from either the Marine Board's Boat Oregon Store or ODFW  Electronic Licensing System or app.

​

​Yes, but they're very limited and specific.

  • Non-motorized boats and float toys under 10 feet in length;
  • Federal, state, county and municipality-owned watercraft used for official business;
  • A ship's lifeboat used solely for lifesaving purposes;
  • Seaplanes;
  • Eleemosynary groups; (Eleemosynary organizations are those which are operated primarily as a part of organized activities for the purpose of teaching youths scout craft, camping, seamanship, self-reliance, patriotism, courage and kindred virtues). Defined in ORS 830.790.​
  • ​Surfboards, sailboards and kiteboards.​
  • A person/outfitter guides​ operating a boat on a federally designated wild and scenic river for which a separate fee system is in place.​
Waterway Access Permits will not be required on ODFW-designated Free Fishing Weekends/Days. The 2021 Free Fishing dates are:
  • ​February 13-14 (Saturday & Sunday), President's Day Weekend
  • June 5-6 (Saturday & Sunday)
  • November 26-27 (Friday & Saturday), Thanksgiving Weekend
  • Youth 13 or younger are exempt and are not required have a permit. When a youth turns 14, then a permit is required.

  • Be sure to print out a copy of your permit AND save it to your computer or mobile device.
  • Remember where you purchased your permit. Permits are also sold through ODFW license agents, the MyODFW app, and ODFW's electronic licensing system (ELS). More information can be found here: https://myodfw.com/ELS
  • If you lose your printed permit, digital copies are available in your OSMB or ODFW online account. Permits purchased from ODFW agents may not be linked to an account and cannot be replaced if lost or damaged.
  • OSMB recommends purchasing through our Boat Oregon Store or through ODFW's ELS or app so that a replacement permit is accessible.

  • ​If a sailboat is between 10 and 11.9 feet, the boater will need a purchase a Waterway Access Permit.​
  • Sailboats 11.9' and under are not required to register with the Marine Board unless their sailboat has an auxiliary motor.
  • Sailboats 12' and over are required to register, and do not need to purchase a Waterway Access Permit. Fees are included in motorboat registrations.

  • Easy! Go to the Boat Oregon Store, click "Online Services" from the top, right-hand portion of the screen, and select "Boat Rental Business Registration." You can also register via mail or in person at the Marine Board with this form.
  • ​​Non-motorized liveries (rental businesses) will receive a quantity discount on permits​ which must be purchased directly from the Oregon State Marine Board. ​

  • ​​YES. The USCG determined that stand-up paddle boards are considered boats for the purpose of life jacket and sound producing device requirements. Based on this determination, and if the stand-up paddle board is 10 feet or longer, the operator would need to have a permit.​

  • ​Boats from Idaho that have an Idaho Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention sticker do not need an Oregon permit if boating within the mainstem of the Snake River.
  • Boats from Washington do not need an Oregon permit if boating within the mainstem of the Columbia River.
  • Boats from Washington or Idaho may launch in Oregon tributaries within ONE RIVER MILE of the Columbia or Snake rivers (common interstate boundary waters) without a permit, only for the purposes of accessing the Columbia and Snake rivers.
  • Other out-of-state motorboats are required to purchase an aquatic invasive species prevention permit ($20). This permit is valid for one calendar year.​

  • ​​No. Operators of surfboards, sailboards, and kiteboards are exempt from needing a Waterway Access Permit (OAR 250-010-0760)(2c).

  • ​​No.  Non-motorized boats are NOT required to be titled or registered.
  • Waterway Access Permits are transferrable to other non-motorized boats. One permit per boat when operating on the water.

  • Waterway Access Permits are not required for motorized boats since fees are already paid through registration. However, permits are still required when operating non-motorized boats, even if the operator also owns a registered motorboat. ​ ​

  • ​All drift boats with auxiliary motors are required to be titled and registered. Motorized boats such as these are not required to purchase a Waterway Access Permit because their 2-year registration already makes them compliant with state law​. 

  • Motorboats registered in Washington or Idaho do not need an Oregon-issued Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit to operate or launch from Oregon into the Columbia River (Washington boaters ) or Snake River (Idaho boaters), or tributaries within ONE RIVER MILE of the Columbia and Snake Rivers for the purposes of accessing them.
  • Washington and Idaho motorized boaters need a non-resident Aquatic Invasive Species permit when boating in Oregon's state waters including reservoirs, the Multnomah Channel, the Willamette, Deschutes, John Day and other rivers.
  • Washington boaters pay a surcharge for aquatic invasive species prevention when they register their motorboats in Washington.
  • ​Idaho has a similar Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit program.  Registered motorboaters from Idaho have a permit affixed to their boats. 


  • ​No.  Non-motorized permits are like a fishing license that the paddler needs to have with them when using the boat on the water. ​

  • ​​No.  Motorized boats have a registration decal that adheres to the bow of the motor boat -and are not transferrable to other watercraft.  A separate permit needs to be purchased for paddlecraft 10 feet long and longer.​

  • Out-of-state motor boaters who bring a motorized boat into the state and launch in Oregon's waters are required to purchase an out-of-state AIS Permit. The permit costs $20 through the Marine Board's Boat Oregon Store.
  • ​Permits can also be purchased through ODFW for $22 ($20 permit plus $2 transaction fee):

ODFW license agents​, and;

ODFW offices.​


  • ​The out-of-state motorized AIS permit is NOT transferrable to paddlecraft.
  • If the paddlecraft is in use, then the operator will need to purchase and carry a Waterway Access Permit, (which is transferrable to other paddlecraft).


  • ​​Yes. Oregon waters are defined as from the coastal shoreline to three miles out to sea.  


​Go to myodfw.com​

  1. Select the “Buy a License" button.
  2. Click on Buy a license in top right corner​ 
  3. The user can either Login or use the Guest Checkout (the guest checkout is the grey box at the bottom). 
  4. Then scroll to the bottom to "Guest Checkout" where you can see the Waterway Access permits.​
  5.  Make your selection.  Click "add" if purchasing more than one permit. 
  6. Click on the “cart" icon and follow the transaction prompts.
  7. Print your permits and carry them in a water-secure container or compartment.  BE SURE TO PRINT BEFORE CLOSING THE BROWSER WINDOW.

  8. ​​Remember which agency you purchased the permit from. ODFW and OSMB will have different and unique identifying numbers for law enforcement checking for compliance.​.


​Revenue will be used to support boating facility grants for state, local governments, park organizations and tribal governments for the acquisition of property, leases, or easements in order for the public to access waterways and construction and maintenance of boating access facilities.  Funds will also be available for public bodies and non-profit entities to develop safety education courses and to purchase boating equipment to reduce barriers for underserved communities who wish to offer recreational boating through other local programs.  

View the story map with examples of boating access projects. 

Learn about the great boating facility projects underway​ with your permit dollars to improve access.

 

Nonmotorized Purchasing options are: 

1) One week permit (valid for 7-consecutive days of your choice) for $7 available only through ODFW) 

2) One calendar year permit for $17 (expires on December 31 of the year purchased) and;

3) Two calendar year permit for $30 (expires on December 31 of the year after purchase). 

Visit: boat.oregon.com/store for one or two-year permits. One and two-year permits are also sold through ODFW.

Out-of-state motorboats and sailboats with auxiliary motors need to purchase an out-of-state Aquatic Invasive Species permit. The permit costs $20 through the Marine Board's Boat Oregon Store. Permits can also be purchased through ODFW for $22 ($20 permit plus $2 transaction fee).

Failure to show the permit is a Class D violation with a $115 fine.

Fees help fund the aquatic invasive species prevention program and waterway access grants for non-motorized boating facility grant projects.

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