Short-Term Rental Investor's Guide: Pacific City, Oregon

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Pacific City, OR?

YES — Short-term rentals are allowed in Pacific City, Oregon, but with significant restrictions and requirements. Pacific City is located within Tillamook County, which governs STR regulations for this area. The county operates a managed system that includes license requirements, inspection protocols, occupancy limits, and area-specific regulations. Currently, Pacific City/Woods operates under a waitlist system for new STR licenses, indicating capacity constraints in this popular coastal destination.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Pacific City?

Pacific City hosts earn a median $53,686/year with $315 ADR and 55% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $77,235+ per year.

See the full Pacific City market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Pacific City

Initial Assessment Steps

Subarea Verification: Confirm your property is within the Pacific City/Woods subarea
Waitlist Status: Check if a new license is available or join the waitlist
Zoning Compliance: Verify the property meets residential STR zoning requirements
Capacity Planning: Assess maximum occupancy based on bedroom count and local regulations

Application Timeline

New licenses are subject to availability and waitlist priority
Processing typically takes 3-4 weeks after complete application submission
Annual renewals required by specified deadlines

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Primary Licensing Requirements

Tillamook County STR License

New License Application with property documentation
Annual Renewal with compliance verification
Transfer Application (if selling property with active license)
Alteration Application (for property modifications)

Supporting Documentation

Fire & Life Safety Checklist - Mandatory safety compliance
Inspection Preparation Documentation - Pre-inspection materials
Site Plan with Dimensions - Property layout requirements
Floor Plan with Dimensions - Interior layout specifications
Parking Verification Application - Off-street parking confirmation
Hold Harmless Agreement - Liability indemnification
Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) Registration - State tax compliance

Safety and Compliance Documents

Smoke Alarm/Carbon Monoxide Certification
Handrail and Guardrail Documentation
Egress Requirements Certification
Recycling Information Acknowledgment

Specific Regulations

County-Level STR Regulations

Occupancy Limits

Maximum overnight occupants: 2 per bedroom plus 1 additional person per site
Daytime occupants: Limited to 1.5 times overnight occupancy
Age restrictions may apply for certain age groups

Property Requirements

Must meet all building safety codes
Adequate off-street parking required
Compliance with fire and life safety standards
Proper waste management and recycling protocols

Operational Restrictions

No amplified sound audible beyond property boundaries
No commercial functions or events
No signs indicating STR use
Compliance with local noise ordinances

Pacific City/Woods Subarea Specifics

License Availability

Active Waitlist System in place for new licenses
Limited number of annual licenses issued
Priority based on application date and subarea allocation

Geographic Limitations

Must comply with tsunami hazard overlay zone requirements
Coastal development restrictions may apply
Environmental protection compliance required

Transient Lodging Tax (TLT)

State-level requirement for all Oregon STRs
Registration mandatory before operations
Monthly filing and payment requirements
Current rate determined by state legislation

Contact Information

Tillamook County Community Development

Physical Address:
1510-B Third Street
Tillamook, OR 97141
(Located inside the TLC Fibre Credit Union building)

Phone: (503) 842-3408
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

STR-Specific Contacts

STR Program Inquiries: (503) 842-3408 ext. 3315
STR Inspection Line: (503) 842-1815
STR Non-Emergency Hotline: (503) 850-0402

Key Staff:

Paige Nearman, Permit Technician - (503) 842-3408 ext. 3122
Lynn Tone, Accounting Technician - (503) 842-3408 ext. 3315

Online Resources

STR Online Registry: Available through county website
Online Payment Portal: Oregon ACCELA system
Complaint Portal: HostCompliance system (link provided in source)

State-Level Regulations (Oregon)

Oregon Short-Term Rental Laws

Statewide Requirements:

Registration with Oregon State Legislature for platforms
Transient Lodging Tax compliance
Safety standard adherence
Local ordinance compliance

Consumer Protection:

Accurate listing requirements
Guest protection policies
Emergency contact obligations

Source Documentation

Primary Regulatory Documents

Application Resources

Waitlist and Monitoring

Important Note: Pacific City STR regulations are subject to periodic updates through county ordinances and board orders. Investors should verify current requirements with Tillamook County Community Development before making investment decisions. The waitlist system indicates high demand and limited availability, so early application and relationship building with local officials is advisable for successful market entry.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Pacific City

Pacific City is a small coastal community nestled in Tillamook County on Oregon's north-central coast. With a year-round population of roughly 1,000 residents, it has the laid-back feel of a working fishing village that doubles as a beloved beach getaway. The community sits where the Nestucca River meets the Pacific Ocean, and it is best known for the towering sandstone headland of Cape Kiwanda and its long-standing tradition of launching dory fishing boats directly from the surf. Portland, Oregon's largest city, lies approximately 85 miles to the east, a drive of about two hours through the Coast Range.

The most iconic landmark is Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, where a massive sandstone cape juts into the ocean just a short walk from the heart of town. The cape is famous for its towering sand dune, where visitors hike up and sandboard or run back down to the beach, and for the offshore Haystack Rock that surfers and photographers love. The natural area sits within a few minutes' drive of nearly every rental in the community and is free to visit.

Just to the north, Cape Lookout State Park stretches along a forested headland and offers miles of hiking trails, a sheltered cove, and a popular campground. The cape juts roughly two miles into the ocean and can be hiked end-to-end on a relatively flat trail, making it one of the most rewarding day hikes on the Oregon Coast. The park entrance is about a fifteen-minute drive north of Pacific City.

South of town, the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge protects a network of tidal marshes, estuarine channels, and forested uplands at the mouth of the Nestucca River. Birdwatchers visit for bald eagles, great blue herons, and seasonal migrations of waterfowl, and short walking paths offer a quiet counterpoint to the busier beach scene. The refuge is roughly a ten-minute drive from central Pacific City.

A short drive north along the Three Capes Scenic Route leads to the town of Tillamook and the Tillamook Creamery, a working cheese factory and visitor destination where guests can watch cheesemakers at work, sample ice cream, and learn about the region's dairy heritage. The drive from Pacific City to Tillamook covers about 25 miles and takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes along Highway 101.

Pacific City's appeal as a short-term rental base comes from the way it concentrates so many coastal experiences into a small, walkable footprint. Visitors can watch dory boats launch at sunrise, hike a cape by mid-morning, and explore a quiet estuary by afternoon, all without long drives or large crowds. Combined with its proximity to Portland and the wider Three Capes region, the community offers the kind of varied, nature-driven itinerary that tends to draw returning guests in every season.

Pacific City, Oregon

Challenging To Investors

STR Regulations for Pacific City, Oregon