Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Ocean Park, WA?

Yes—short-term rentals (rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive days) are allowed in Ocean Park, WA, but only under Pacific County regulations. Ocean Park does not maintain its own city-specific STR code; therefore, the county’s vacation rental ordinance governs. Key conditions apply: new vacation rentals are prohibited in the Restricted Residential (R‑1) zoning district; in the R‑2 and Rural Residential (R‑R) districts, rentals must maintain a minimum 300‑foot separation from all property lines; and most activities require a county vacation rental license, inspections, and ongoing compliance with occupancy, parking, trash, phone, and life‑safety standards.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Ocean Park, WA

Starting an STR in Ocean Park is a sequential, permit‑driven process. The steps below are based on Pacific County’s requirements and your obligations as a lodging provider under Washington State law.

1. Confirm zoning eligibility.

• Confirm the parcel is not in R‑1. If in R‑2 or R‑R, the property must be at least 300 feet from all property lines to qualify.
• Identify whether the project is “permitted use” or “special use” in the county’s zoning code. Special use applies in R‑R, R‑2, RL, and Mixed Use (MU). Permitted use typically applies in R‑3, Commercial (C‑C), and Tokeland Mixed Use (MU‑T).

2. Register as a Washington State business and obtain your Unified Business Identifier (UBI).

• Washington requires short‑term rentals (less than 30 days) to register as a business and obtain a UBI. The Pacific County application requires proof of registration prior to issuance of the initial license.

3. Plan your septic and life‑safety inspections.

• Operation & Maintenance (O&M) inspection of the on‑site septic system (OSS) is required prior to initial licensing and every three years thereafter, or more frequently if directed by the Health Officer.
• Schedule and pass a Fire & Life Safety inspection prior to initial issuance and every two years thereafter.

4. Prepare your application package.

• Complete the county “Vacation Rental License/Permit Application” (see Section 1 of the application packet for all criteria and acknowledgments).
• Prepare a Property Management Plan detailing local point‑of‑contact (within one hour travel time), garbage service, phone number, emergency procedures, and parking compliance.
• Submit a floor plan showing all beds and a site plan meeting the county checklist (parking and signage must be shown).

5. Submit and pay fees.

• Permitted use application fee: $975 ($80 application; $15 technology; $80 zoning; $800 license).
• Special use application fee: $2,175 ($80 application; $15 technology; $1,280 special use; $800 license; plus a Hearings Examiner fee invoiced separately).
• If using a pre‑application conference waiver, submit the waiver form.

6. Conduct public noticing.

• After license approval, mail the approved property management plan to all adjoining property owners within 300 feet; sign and return the affidavit of mailing to the Department of Community Development (DCD).

7. Post and operate in compliance.

• Display the annual license and management plan inside the unit near the front entrance.
• Operate within occupancy, parking, signage, phone, and neighborhood‑compatibility standards.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The following are mandatory or commonly required by Pacific County for an STR in Ocean Park:

County permits and approvals

• Vacation Rental License/Permit Application (Sections 1–3 completed).
• Development Permit Application (general development requirements).
• Pre‑Application Conference Waiver (if applicable).
• Site Plan meeting the county checklist; show property lines, scale, north arrow, existing/proposed structures, wells/drainfields, parking, signage, roads, utilities, and easements.
• Floor Plan with bed locations for fire/life safety; bed counts must align with approved occupancy.
• Property Management Plan including local point‑of‑contact, garbage service, landline phone number, emergency procedures, and parking plan.

Inspections and safety documentation

• Operation & Maintenance (O&M) inspection of the on‑site septic system (OSS), performed by a third‑party inspector licensed by Pacific County; required prior to initial licensing and every three years thereafter.
• Fire & Life Safety inspection prior to initial license issuance and every two years thereafter; must satisfy requirements such as hard‑wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup, emergency egress from sleeping rooms, posted exit diagram, portable fire extinguishers (minimum 2‑A:10‑B:C per floor), hard‑wired phone with 911 notice and address, and visible street address signage.

Business registration and insurance

• Washington State business registration with a Unified Business Identifier (UBI).
• General liability insurance covering use of the structure as a vacation rental; written documentation required.

State and local taxes

• Washington State lodging tax (2%) and applicable local lodging tax; Pacific County’s local lodging tax is 4% (for a combined 6% lodging tax rate).

Fees

• Permitted Use application: $975 total ($80 application; $15 technology; $80 zoning; $800 license).
• Special Use application: $2,175 total ($80 application; $15 technology; $1,280 special use; $800 license) plus Hearings Examiner invoicing.
• Technology fee and any hearings examiner charges are additional pass‑throughs.

Signage

• One sign not exceeding four square feet, either attached to the dwelling or placed in the front yard; no off‑premise signage or advertising signage is permitted.

Contact records

• Local point‑of‑contact who can respond to complaints at any time and must reside within one hour’s travel time of the STR. Updates to the management plan or contact require county approval, a revision fee, and re‑mailing to adjoining property owners within 300 feet.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Ocean Park, WA (County and State)

Because Ocean Park has no city‑specific STR code, the following Pacific County and Washington State requirements apply:

Zoning and location standards

• New vacation rentals are prohibited in the Restricted Residential (R‑1) district.
• In the R‑2 and R‑R zoning districts, a vacation rental must be at least 300 feet from all property lines (separation measured from all sides).
• Whether the project is a “permitted use” or “special use” depends on the parcel’s zoning and determines application fees, procedural steps, and potential public hearing requirements.

Occupancy limits

• Two overnight occupants per bedroom plus two additional overnight occupants (e.g., one‑bedroom cabin: four occupants; two‑bedroom cabin: six occupants).
• The total number of occupants may not exceed ten at any one time and includes all occupants over age two.
• Advertised occupancy may not exceed permitted limits; bed counts and locations must match the approved floor plan.

Parking

• Off‑street parking: one space per bedroom, with a minimum of two spaces required.
• Show all parking areas on the site plan; vehicles must use designated spaces.

Phone service

• A landline with local phone service is required. The phone number must be listed in the Property Management Plan.

Garbage

• Arrange garbage service during rental periods and document it in the management plan. Provide proof upon request. Resolve any litter or garbage complaints immediately.

Appearance and neighborhood compatibility

• Retain a residential appearance; maintain house numbers visible from the street. No junk or garbage in yards; vehicles must park in designated areas.
• Operate to prevent disturbances atypical of a residential neighborhood, including loud music/noises, excessive traffic, loud parties, yard debris, trespassing, nuisance pets, or excess vehicles parked on streets.

Signage

• Single sign up to four square feet attached to the dwelling or placed in the front yard; no off‑premise signage. Indicate sign type/location on the site plan.

Access standards

• Road access must meet minimum Pacific County Road Standards. For private lanes/driveways, maintain a minimum twenty‑foot side‑to‑side clearance between obstructions (Uniform Fire Code reference). Access must remain unobstructed for emergency vehicles and normal traffic.

Property management plan and noticing

• Management plan must detail local contact, garbage service, landline number, emergency procedures, and parking compliance.
• The approved plan must be mailed to adjoining property owners within 300 feet and an affidavit of mailing returned to DCD prior to license issuance.
• Post the plan and the license prominently inside the unit near the front entrance.

Pets

• Pets must be secured at all times. Nuisance barking is prohibited. Horses are only permitted in RL, R‑R, MU, and MU‑T zoning districts.

Inspections and renewals

• Septic O&M inspection every three years (or more frequently as directed by the Health Officer).
• Fire & Life Safety inspection every two years.
• Licenses are issued annually and are non‑transferable upon transfer of ownership.

Taxation

• Washington State lodging tax: 2%.
• Pacific County local lodging tax: 4%.
• Combined lodging tax rate commonly applicable to Ocean Park STRs: 6%.

State business registration

• Register the STR as a business with Washington State and obtain a UBI prior to county license issuance. B&O tax and local sales tax obligations may also apply depending on revenue and activities.

Contact Information for Local Authority in Charge of STRs

Pacific County Department of Community Development (DCD)

• Planning • Environmental Health • Building
• South Bend Office:
  • P.O. Box 68, South Bend, WA 98586
  • Phone: (360) 875‑9356
  • Fax: (360) 875‑9304
• Long Beach Office:
  • 7013 Sandridge Rd., Long Beach, WA 98631
  • Phone: (360) 642‑9382
  • Fax: (360) 642‑9387
• Website: www.co.pacific.wa.us

These offices handle vacation rental licensing, special use reviews, inspections, and operational permits (including septic O&M for STRs).

Source Pages and Links

• Pacific County Vacation Rental License/Permit Application Packet (official forms, fees, and checklists):
  www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/images/Vac%20Rentals/VAC%20RENTAL%20APP%20PACKET.pdf

• GoSummer blog overview for Ocean Park, WA (market overview and general references):
  www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/ocean-park-washington

• Pacific Realty “Step‑by‑step guide to investing in vacation rental in Long Beach, WA” (state lodging tax context and county tax reference):
  pacreal.com/why-long-beach-rental-properties-are-good-investments/

Note: One provided URL (www.wa.gov.au/.../short-term-rental-accommodation) is for Western Australia and is not applicable to Washington State.

Practical Notes for STR Investors

• Start with zoning: Confirm that your property is not in R‑1 and, if in R‑2 or R‑R, that it meets the 300‑foot separation.
• Sequence your inspections: Secure the septic O&M inspection first (if needed) and schedule the fire/life safety inspection promptly to avoid delays.
• Local contact: Name a local point‑of‑contact within one hour’s travel time who can respond immediately to complaints and enforce house rules.
• Documentation and posting: Keep the license and management plan visible inside the unit; maintain a landline and post emergency procedures.
• Taxes and insurance: Register with Washington State, obtain a UBI, maintain general liability coverage, and plan for lodging tax remittance.

By adhering to Pacific County’s permitting, inspections, and operating standards—and registering as a Washington State lodging provider—investors can legally operate short‑term rentals in Ocean Park while mitigating compliance risk and protecting neighborhood character.