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Rockaway Beach

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Rockaway Beach, OR

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STR Regulations for Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Executive Overview: STR Status in Rockaway Beach

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Rockaway Beach, Oregon, but operate under a highly regulated, capped licensing system. The city has implemented strict limitations on the total number of STR licenses available, requiring investors to navigate both city and county regulations. Rockaway Beach operates a quota-based system where only approved applicants may proceed with licensing, creating a competitive market for new entrants.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Rockaway Beach?

Rockaway Beach hosts earn a median $49,798/year with $300 ADR and 59% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $73,796+ per year.

See the full Rockaway Beach market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Rockaway Beach

Market Entry Process

  1. Determine Eligibility: Confirm your property location within Rockaway Beach city limits
  2. Join the Waiting List: Submit a STR New License Waiting List Application due to the city's licensing cap
  3. Await Approval: Only approved applicants may proceed with full licensing
  4. Complete Registration: Use the STR Online Portal for license application and payment
  5. Obtain Required Inspections: County fire and safety inspections required
  6. Register for Transient Room Tax: City and county tax registration

Critical Timeline Considerations

  • License Renewal Deadline: July 31st annually (for existing licenses)
  • Transient Room Tax Due Dates: Quarterly (April 30, July 30, October 30, January 30)
  • Application Processing: Times vary based on city cap availability

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

City of Rockaway Beach Requirements

Primary Licenses:

  • STR License (New): $500.00
  • STR License (Renewal): $500.00
  • STR License (Transfer): $500.00
  • STR Under Construction Application: $95.00
  • STR Waiting List Application: $95.00

Required Documentation for License Application:

  1. Image of house/address identifier visible from street
  2. Image of required identification sign posted on property (visible from street)
  3. Close-up image of identification sign including:
    • STR license number (leave blank if new application)
    • Email address for owner/local agent
    • Contact telephone number for owner/local agent
  4. Parking plan diagram showing required off-street parking spaces and locations
  5. Statement of liability insurance coverage from insurance company

Tillamook County Requirements

Additional County Documentation:

  • Short Term Rental Application
  • STR Fire & Life Safety Checklist
  • STR Hold Harmless Agreement
  • Transient Lodging Tax Registration Form
  • Short Term Rental Parking Verification Application
  • Floor plan with dimensions
  • Site plan with dimensions
  • Proof of insurance meeting county standards

Specific Regulations

City of Rockaway Beach STR Regulations

Licensing Cap:

  • Resolution 2024-08 establishes a cap on the number of STR licenses
  • New licenses only available when city approves proceeding with applications
  • Waiting list system in place for new applications

Local Agent Requirements:

  • Required Local Agent (owner or property management company) must respond within 30 minutes to complaints
  • Agent contact information must be posted on property identification sign
  • 24/7 availability expected for complaint response

Complaint Management System:

  • 24/7 STR Complaint Hotline: (971) 351-0529
  • Online complaint portal available
  • Required Local Agent must respond within 30 minutes via text message
  • Automated callback system after 60 minutes to verify resolution
  • Escalation to sheriff's office if issues remain unresolved

Transient Room Tax (TRT):

  • Quarterly payment schedule:
    • Q1 (Jan-Mar): Due April 30th
    • Q2 (Apr-Jun): Due July 30th
    • Q3 (Jul-Sep): Due October 30th
    • Q4 (Oct-Dec): Due January 30th

County-Level Regulations (Tillamook County)

Inspection Requirements:

  • STR Inspection Line: 503-842-1815
  • Fire & Life Safety inspections required
  • Regular compliance monitoring
  • Alteration permits required for property changes

Subarea Restrictions:

  • Rockaway Beach UGB waitlist exists
  • Subarea maps identify permitted zones
  • County Ordinance #86 governs operator license fees

Safety and Compliance:

  • Fire & Life Safety Checklist compliance required
  • Egress requirements per county standards
  • Handrail and guardrail specifications
  • Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector requirements

Tax Obligations:

  • Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) registration required
  • Separate registration from city TRT requirements
  • Quarterly filing and payment obligations

Contact Information

City of Rockaway Beach (Primary Jurisdiction)

City Hall:

  • Address: P.O. Box 5 | 276 Hwy 101 S., Rockaway Beach, OR 97136
  • Phone: 503-374-1752
  • Fax: 503-374-0601
  • Email: cityhall@corb.us

STR-Specific Contacts:

  • 24/7 STR Complaint Hotline: (971) 351-0529
  • STR Online Portal: rockawaybeachcityor-self.govplatform.com
  • Community Development Department

Tillamook County (Secondary Jurisdiction)

Community Development Department:

  • Address: 1510-B Third Street, Tillamook, OR 97141
  • Phone: 503-842-3408
  • Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

STR Program Contacts:

  • Program Inquiries: 503-842-3408 x3315
  • Inspection Line: 503-842-1815
  • Non-Emergency Hotline: 503-850-0402
  • Online Complaint Portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/tillamook-county-or

Key Staff:

  • Paige Nearman, Permit Technician: 503-842-3408 ext 3122
  • Lynn Tone, Accounting Technician: 503-842-3408 ext 3315

Source Documentation

Primary Source Documents:

City of Rockaway Beach:

Tillamook County:

Additional Resources:

This guide represents current regulations as of 2025. Investors should verify current requirements and fees before proceeding, as regulations and fees are subject to change. The dual jurisdiction structure (city and county) requires compliance with both sets of regulations for successful STR operations in Rockaway Beach.

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Rockaway Beach

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
4/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Rockaway Beach Market Analysis

Photos of Rockaway Beach

Overview of Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach is a small coastal city in Tillamook County, Oregon, home to a year-round population of roughly 1,300 residents. Set along the northern Oregon coast, it carries a relaxed, small-town atmosphere that draws visitors looking for a quieter alternative to busier Pacific shore destinations. The city is best known for its long, flat stretch of sandy beach, which runs about seven miles along the Pacific Ocean, and it serves as an easygoing gateway to the broader Tillamook Coast region. From Portland, Rockaway Beach lies roughly 80 to 90 miles to the west, reachable in about 90 minutes to two hours of driving along Highway 26 and the coast-hugging Highway 101.

A short drive south of town brings visitors to the Tillamook Creamery, one of the most visited destinations on the Oregon coast. The working dairy facility offers self-guided tours, tasting rooms, an ice cream counter, and a generous visitor center where guests can learn about the region's century-old dairy tradition. The creamery sits about 15 to 20 minutes south of Rockaway Beach near the city of Tillamook.

Just a few miles further down the coast, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint juts out into the ocean, offering panoramic views, an iconic octagonal lighthouse, old-growth spruce trees, and seasonal seabird and whale watching. The park is approximately 20 to 25 minutes south of Rockaway Beach and is a popular stop for travelers exploring the area's dramatic headlands.

Offshore, the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is one of the oldest federal wildlife refuges on the Pacific coast. Its cluster of offshore islands hosts large colonies of nesting seabirds, including common murres, tufted puffins, and cormorants. The refuge is best appreciated from overlooks on the mainland, including the cliffs near Cape Meares and viewpoints within and around Rockaway Beach itself.

For travelers interested in a slow-paced way to experience the area's forests and coastline, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad operates vintage train excursions between Rockaway Beach and the town of Wheeler, with seasonal rides that trace the Nehalem River and pass through coastal woodlands and farmlands.

With its uncrowded beaches, proximity to the well-known Tillamook Creamery and Cape Meares, and a steady stream of summer and shoulder-season visitors, Rockaway Beach offers short-term rental owners a base that combines small-town coastal charm with reliable regional demand.

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