Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Rockaway Beach?

**Yes**, Rockaway Beach requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) license to operate legally. You need to obtain this permit through the city, and there is currently a waiting list due to a cap on the number of permitted units. The annual fee for the STR license is $400.

What is the TOT tax rate in Rockaway Beach?

**10% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Rockaway Beach. You need to collect this tax from your guests and remit it to the city. Check with the city's finance department for specific instructions on how to properly file these taxes.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Rockaway Beach?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Rockaway Beach, but they are strictly regulated. You need to obtain a permit, comply with safety inspections, and collect/remit the 10% Transient Occupancy Tax. Be aware that there is a cap on the number of STR licenses issued, leading to a waiting list.

How much does an STR permit cost in Rockaway Beach?

**$400** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental (STR) license in Rockaway Beach. You need to pay this fee to the city in order to legally operate your rental. Note that there is currently a waiting list for new STR licenses due to a cap on units.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Rockaway Beach?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Rockaway Beach. The short-term rental regulations require the property owner to obtain the necessary permits and comply with all rules. Subletting a rental property as a short-term rental is prohibited without the owner's explicit permission.

Rockaway Beach

Strict

STRs Allowed

OregonLast updated: February 13, 2026

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

Rockaway Beach strictly regulates short-term rentals through a licensing system capped at a specific number of units, currently resulting in a waiting list. Hosts must comply with a 10% Transient Room Tax and pass annual safety inspections.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 41 (moderate)

Why this classification:

•Moderate permit fee: $400
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Rockaway Beach, you first need to check if any licenses are available, as the city has a strict cap. If a spot is open, you must apply for an annual license, pay a $400 fee, and pass a safety inspection. You are required to have a local representative who can respond to issues within 20 minutes. Additionally, you must collect and pay a 10% city tax on all stays under 30 days.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$400

Processing Time

Varies due to cap

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.There is a strict city-wide cap on the number of STR licenses; you may be placed on a waiting list.
2.Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
3.A local representative must be available 24/7 and respond to the property within 20 minutes.
4.Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 12 people regardless of home size.
5.Licenses are non-transferable; if you sell the house, the new owner must apply for a new license.
6.One owner or legal entity may only hold one STR license in the city.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Rockaway Beach: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Rockaway Beach prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), Multi-family dwellings (3+ units).
•Rockaway Beach allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwelling, Duplex.
•Rockaway Beach, OR: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(17)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Rockaway Beach: 1. There is a strict city-wide cap on the number of STR licenses; you may be placed on a waiting list. 2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are prohibited from being used as short-term rentals. 3. A local representative must be available 24/7 and respond to the property within 20 minutes. 4. Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 12 people regardless of home size. 5. Licenses are non-transferable; if you sell the house, the new owner must apply for a new license. 6. One owner or legal entity may only hold one STR license in the city.

Application Process(11)

•Rockaway Beach: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Completed Application Form, Proof of Liability Insurance ($1,000,000), Parking Plan/Diagram, Trash Management Plan, Tillamook County Health Department Inspection (for 5+ guests), Local Representative Contact Info.
•Rockaway Beach, OR extended permit requirement: Inspection fee per inspection

Fees & Costs(1)

•Rockaway Beach charges a registration fee of $400 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Inspection fee per inspection).

Taxes(2)

•Oregon has a state sales tax of 1.5% that applies to STR rentals.
•Rockaway Beach charges a Transient Room Tax of 10%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the state portion; hosts must verify if the 10% city portion is remitted or if they must file manually.

Limits & Restrictions(9)

•Rockaway Beach occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, up to 12 maximum.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Rockaway Beach: There is a strict city-wide cap on the number of STR licenses; you may be placed on a waiting list.
•Rockaway Beach, OR: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Rockaway Beach requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Working landline phone if cell service is unreliable, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms.

Penalties(3)

•Rockaway Beach, OR: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Rockaway Beach enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250. Second offense: $500. Third offense: License Revocation. Daily fine: $250. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(3)

•Rockaway Beach, OR: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Rockaway Beach: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Oregon Markets

Salem

Oregon

Strict

Salem requires annual licensing for all short-term rentals, distinguishing between Accessory STRs (primary residence) and standard STRs (often requiring a conditional use permit).

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Tillamook County

Oregon

Moderate

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Tillamook County are strictly regulated under Ordinance 84, requiring an annual permit and a fire/life safety inspection. The county enforces a one-STR-per-person ownership limit and a maximum occupancy cap based on bedroom count.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Lincoln City

Oregon

Strict

Lincoln City has a highly regulated short-term rental market with a hard cap on the number of licenses issued in residential zones. New hosts should expect to be placed on a waitlist as the current license limit is frequently reached.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Bandon

Oregon

Strict

The City of Bandon strictly regulates short-term rentals through Chapter 5.44 of the Municipal Code, including a total city-wide cap of 100 permits. Permits are restricted to certain residential and commercial zones, prohibit the use of ADUs, and require a high initial application fee of $1,000.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Rockaway Beach

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(17)

Application Process(11)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(9)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Oregon Markets

Salem

Tillamook County

Lincoln City

Bandon

Rockaway Beach

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Rockaway Beach?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Rockaway Beach?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Rockaway Beach?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Rockaway Beach?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Rockaway Beach?

Related Content

Other Oregon Markets

Salem

Tillamook County

Lincoln City

Bandon