Cannon Beach Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — 14-Day Short-Term Rental Permit ($500 permit initial fee (plus $200 business license application fee and $106 inspection/re-inspection fee)) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit |
| Tax Rate | 14% |
| Max Penalty | $500 per day |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
14-Day Short-Term Rental Permit
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $500 permit initial fee (plus $200 business license application fee and $106 inspection/re-inspection fee) |
| Renewal | $500 annual renewal fee / Annual |
This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Allowed in RVL, RL, R1, R2, R3, MP, and RAM zones; not permitted in accessory dwelling units.
Application Process
Property owner applies to the city for one of three permit types (14-day, five-year unlimited, or lifetime unlimited); must designate a local representative who permanently resides within the Cannon Beach urban growth boundary, or a licensed property management company with a physically staffed office within 10 vehicular miles of the urban growth boundary; dwelling must pass an Oregon State Building Code compliance inspection before permit issuance.
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon State Transient Lodging Tax | 1.5% | Oregon Department of Revenue |
| City of Cannon Beach Transient Room Tax | 9.5% | City of Cannon Beach |
| Clatsop County Countywide Transient Room Tax | 3% | Clatsop County |
Combined rate: 14% of gross rental income.
Collection: Transient lodging providers and transient lodging intermediaries collect and remit the state transient lodging tax
Filing: Quarterly; returns and payments due on or before the last day of the month following the end of each calendar quarter
Rental Limits
Cannon Beach does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.
Occupancy & Density Limits
1-2 bedrooms: maximum 6 persons, 2 parking spaces required. 3 bedrooms: maximum 8 persons, 3 parking spaces required. 4 bedrooms: maximum 10 persons, 4 parking spaces required. 5 bedrooms: maximum 12 persons, 4 parking spaces required. In no event shall occupancy exceed 12 persons, unless a short-term rental permit issued prior to January 1, 2005 established a higher occupancy.
Zoning & Restrictions
Allowed in RVL, RL, R1, R2, R3, MP, and RAM zones; not permitted in accessory dwelling units
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Cannon Beach does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage. No insurance requirement (amount or otherwise) is specified in Cannon Beach Municipal Code Chapter 17.84 (Short-Term Rentals), the city's STR inspection checklist, or the 14-day permit application materials.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Dwelling must pass an Oregon State Building Code compliance inspection before permit issuance
- Weekly solid waste collection service required
- Permit and tsunami evacuation route map must be posted inside the dwelling
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Progressive enforcement within a 24-month period: 1st violation = warning notice; 2nd violation = 30-day permit suspension; 3rd violation = 90-day permit suspension; 4th violation = permit revocation. Each day a dwelling is rented without a valid permit is a separate violation, with fines up to $500 per day. Following revocation, a 2-year prohibition applies before the owner may re-enter the permit program.
Platform Requirements
- Not specified — Chapter 17.84 does not address online booking platform (e.g., Airbnb/VRBO) listing requirements
- It only requires physical posting of the permit and tsunami evacuation route map inside the dwelling
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Cannon Beach:
- Meet safety requirements. Dwelling must pass an Oregon State Building Code compliance inspection before permit issuance. Weekly solid waste collection service required. Permit and tsunami evacuation route map must be posted inside the dwelling.
- Apply for 14-Day Short-Term Rental Permit. Submit application + $500 permit initial fee (plus $200 business license application fee and $106 inspection/re-inspection fee) fee.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Oregon Department of Revenue.
- Collect and remit taxes. 14% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. $500 annual renewal fee renewal fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Cannon Beach?
- Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Cannon Beach requires a 14-Day Short-Term Rental Permit.
- Does Cannon Beach require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. Cannon Beach allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
- How many days a year can you short-term rent in Cannon Beach?
- Cannon Beach does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.
- What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Cannon Beach?
- Short-term rental stays in Cannon Beach are subject to a combined 14% in lodging taxes. This combines 1.5% Oregon State Transient Lodging Tax + 9.5% City of Cannon Beach Transient Room Tax + 3% Clatsop County Countywide Transient Room Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
- What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Cannon Beach?
- Operating without a permit can cost up to $500 per day.
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.