Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Ocean Shores?

**Yes**, Ocean Shores requires a specific Short-Term Rental License for all rentals. You need to obtain this license per Chapter 5.44 of the municipal code, and it costs $450. Additionally, a general city business license is also required to legally operate a short-term rental.

What is the TOT tax rate in Ocean Shores?

**5% TOT** is the local transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Ocean Shores. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. In addition to the local tax, hosts must also collect and remit Washington state sales and lodging taxes.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Ocean Shores?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Ocean Shores, but they are subject to specific regulations. You need to obtain both a short-term rental license and a general city business license to operate legally. Compliance with local zoning ordinances and safety standards is also required to avoid penalties.

How much does an STR permit cost in Ocean Shores?

**$450** is the cost of the Short-Term Rental License in Ocean Shores. You must obtain this license to legally operate a short-term rental property within the city. This is in addition to any other fees or taxes required by the city, county, or state.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Ocean Shores?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Ocean Shores. The regulations require that the property owner or authorized property manager is the one applying for and managing the short-term rental license. Check local ordinances for specific rules.

Ocean Shores

Moderate

WashingtonUpdated Apr 15, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Ocean Shores requires all short-term rentals to obtain a specific STR license (Chapter 5.44) and a general city business license. Hosts are subject to a local 5% STR tax in addition to Washington state sales and lodging taxes.

Restriction level

Severity 26

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $450
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Ocean Shores, you must first get a city business license and a specific Short-Term Rental license. You'll need to pay an annual fee of around $450 and pass a safety inspection by the fire department. Once licensed, make sure your license number is in your listing description. Every quarter, you have to file a tax return with the city and pay 5% of your gross earnings directly to the city finance department.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$450

Processing time30-45 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1The 5% city STR tax is NOT automatically collected by Airbnb/VRBO; hosts must remit it manually.
2Maximum occupancy is strictly limited to 10 people total, regardless of home size.
3Fire inspections are mandatory before your license is finalized.
4You must have a designated local contact person available 24/7 who can respond within 30 minutes.
5Short-term rentals are strictly defined as stays under 30 consecutive days.
6You must post a 'Good Neighbor' flyer or notice inside the unit.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Ocean Shores: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Ocean Shores does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Ocean Shores, WA: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ocean Shores: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements19 rules

Ocean Shores STR warning: You must have a designated local contact person available 24/7 who can respond within 30 minutes.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Ocean Shores: To host an Airbnb in Ocean Shores, you must first get a city business license and a specific Short-Term Rental license. You'll need to pay an annual fee of around $450 and pass a safety inspection by the fire department. Once licensed, make sure your license number is in your listing description. Every quarter, you have to file a tax return with the city and pay 5% of your gross earnings directly to the city finance department.

Fees & costs1 rule

Ocean Shores charges a registration fee of $450 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Washington has a state sales tax of 6.5% that applies to STR rentals.
Ocean Shores: The 5% city STR tax is NOT automatically collected by Airbnb/VRBO; hosts must remit it manually.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Ocean Shores limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; absolute max 10.
Ocean Shores: Maximum occupancy is strictly limited to 10 people total, regardless of home size.
Ocean Shores enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements2 rules

Ocean Shores: Fire inspections are mandatory before your license is finalized.
Ocean Shores requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Emergency exit map must be posted, Address clearly visible from the street, Working landline phone required if cell service is unreliable.

Penalties4 rules

Ocean Shores enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1,000 fine. Third offense: Revocation of license. Daily fine: $100-$500 depending on violation. Maximum fine: $1,000 per violation. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Ocean Shores, WA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Ocean Shores exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Ocean Shores: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Ocean Shores

Moderate

WashingtonUpdated Apr 15, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 26

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $450
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$450

Processing time30-45 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1The 5% city STR tax is NOT automatically collected by Airbnb/VRBO; hosts must remit it manually.
2Maximum occupancy is strictly limited to 10 people total, regardless of home size.
3Fire inspections are mandatory before your license is finalized.
4You must have a designated local contact person available 24/7 who can respond within 30 minutes.
5Short-term rentals are strictly defined as stays under 30 consecutive days.
6You must post a 'Good Neighbor' flyer or notice inside the unit.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Ocean Shores: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Ocean Shores does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Ocean Shores, WA: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ocean Shores: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements19 rules

Ocean Shores STR warning: You must have a designated local contact person available 24/7 who can respond within 30 minutes.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Ocean Shores: To host an Airbnb in Ocean Shores, you must first get a city business license and a specific Short-Term Rental license. You'll need to pay an annual fee of around $450 and pass a safety inspection by the fire department. Once licensed, make sure your license number is in your listing description. Every quarter, you have to file a tax return with the city and pay 5% of your gross earnings directly to the city finance department.

Fees & costs1 rule

Ocean Shores charges a registration fee of $450 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Washington has a state sales tax of 6.5% that applies to STR rentals.
Ocean Shores: The 5% city STR tax is NOT automatically collected by Airbnb/VRBO; hosts must remit it manually.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Ocean Shores limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; absolute max 10.
Ocean Shores: Maximum occupancy is strictly limited to 10 people total, regardless of home size.
Ocean Shores enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements2 rules

Ocean Shores: Fire inspections are mandatory before your license is finalized.
Ocean Shores requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Emergency exit map must be posted, Address clearly visible from the street, Working landline phone required if cell service is unreliable.

Penalties4 rules

Ocean Shores enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1,000 fine. Third offense: Revocation of license. Daily fine: $100-$500 depending on violation. Maximum fine: $1,000 per violation. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Ocean Shores, WA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Ocean Shores exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Ocean Shores: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Ocean Shores?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ocean Shores?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ocean Shores?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ocean Shores?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ocean Shores?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Ocean Shores?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ocean Shores?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ocean Shores?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ocean Shores?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ocean Shores?

Disclaimer