Waterway Access Permit FAQs

Infographic saying all paddlecraft will be reqired to purchase and carry or display a waterway access permit on January 1, 2026

In 2026, ALL operators of non-motorized boats will need a Waterway Access Permit. The law was expanded to boats under 10 feet and applies to stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks, rafts, and their inflatable versions. Since 2020, operators of non-motorized boats 10' and longer have been required to purchase and carry a Waterway Access Permit when using a boat on the water. Motorized boaters and non-residents have been required to pay into an aquatic invasive species prevention account for boat inspection stations at our border highways since 2010. So, 2026 marks the year when all boaters in the state will be supporting programs to protect our waterways and improve public non-motorized access into the future!

Permit sales for 2026 are available through the Boat Oregon Store. Look in the upper right-hand corner of the page and click "Online Services" to make your permit selection, then follow the prompts.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Waterway Access Permit:

Since 2021, over $4.6 million in Waterway Access Permit dollars have been awarded as grants to meet the needs of paddlers to access the water safely. See the completed projects from our Grant History Dashboard. Click on the WAG tab for Waterway Access Grants, or other funding tabs to see other mixed-use, motorized, or Clean Vessel Act projects!

Non-motorized Purchasing options are:

1) One-week permit. This permit is good for 7 days in a row and costs $6 from the Boat Oregon Store if purchased now through December 31, 2025. The 7-day permit is also available through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

2) One calendar year permit for 2026 is $20 and expires on December 31, 2026.

3) Two calendar-year permits for $35 (expires on December 31 of the second year).

Need help getting started using the Boat Oregon Store?

There is a $1.50 portal provider fee for online transactions. If you're purchasing more than one Waterway Access Permit, make sure to add all to your cart before checkout to avoid extra charges. You will go to a secure checkout page: https://securecheckout-uat.cdc.nicusa.com/.

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

Fees help fund two important programs for Oregon:

ODFW boat inspection stations

Paddling access grants are awarded to eligible grant applicants to develop or improve: