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FAQ

Animals

Pet Licenses are available at the police department. Please bring with you proof of their last rabies shot.
No barnyard animals or exotic pets
No more than 3 pets per household
Please see City Ordinance 6.04 pertaining to Animals at:
https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/OceanShores/#!/OceanShores06/OceanShores0604.html#6.04

North Beach Paws
www.northbeachpaws.org
North Beach PAWS No Kill Animal Shelter located just outside Ocean Shores Washington.

You can call the Non-Emergency number any time at 360-533-8765 and request to speak with Animal Control. You can also call the Police Department at 360-289-3331 Monday through Friday from 8am - 4pm and request Animal Control's voicemail.
You can call the Non-Emergency number any time at 360-533-8765 and request to speak with Animal Control. You can also call the Police Department at 360-289-3331 Monday through Friday from 8am - 4pm and request Animal Control's voicemail.

Art

The Grays Harbor Art Community provides a list of organizations. Click here for contact list.

Boards, Committees and Commissions

If an available position is available on one of the City's boards, committees or commissions please fill out the application and submit it to the City Clerks office.

Business Information

The City of Ocean Shores has partnered with the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service (BLS)  to process the City of Ocean Shores’ business licenses and renewals.

Click here  to be redirected to  Welcome to Washington Department of Revenue | Washington Department of Revenue
Click here for Business and Occupational Tax Instructions.
Quarterly you will need to file B&O Tax, click here for form
Visit  "Doing Business in the City of Ocean Shores" . This is a page of the city's website that will provide you with helpful links to starting your small business and how to apply for a business license.


Community Club

The Community Club is a private entity within the City of Ocean Shores, please visit their website for more information at https://oceanshorescc.com/.


Convention Center

Click here to contact the Convention Center Manager

Electoral

You must file your personal finance information through the Public Disclosure Commission. Click here to learn more.
Election information can be found on the Grays Harbor Auditor's Office web site. Learn more

Fish and Wildlife

Friends of Slim Pickins Wildlife Rescue
360-532-5912

Twin Harbors Wildlife Center, Montesano
360-249-4840

Click here to visit Grays Harbor Audubon
Visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website.  Click here to learn more.

Garbage Bags

City logo garbage bags can be purchased at the Ocean Shores Police Department during regular business hours and from the Ocean Shores Conventions Center, Visitor Center between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Hazardous Waste

Contact:
LeMay's Central Transfer Station
29 Gavett Lane North
Montesano, WA 98563

License and Fees

Click here to learn more.

Local Improvement District (LID) Payments

Click here to pay LID online
(You will be directed to ACI Payments, Inc at https://www.officialpayments.com/index.jsp)

Click here to pay Wate/Sewer
(You will be directed to the City of Ocean Shores Utility Billing on-line payment at https://oceanshores.merchanttransact.com/)

Low Income Assistance

You may qualify for City of Ocean Shores low income utility program, if you are a senior citizen, disabled, or meet the income requirements. For more information download the attached document:

Low income resident's assistance for property taxes, LID payments and City utility billings from Grays Harbor County and the City of Ocean Shores.

Low income, senior, and disabled citizens may qualify for reductions or deferrals of property taxes and LID assessments. See Grays Harbor County below:
 
Grays Harbor Assessor's Office - 
Senior / Disabled Property Tax Exemption

Grays Harbor Assessor's Office - 
Senior / Disabled Property Tax Deferrals

Newspapers

The Daily World

Street Address: 315 So. Michigan
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 269
Aberdeen, Wa. 98520
(360) 532-4000
Newsroom Fax (360) 533-6039
Business Fax (360) 533-1328

The Vidette
Street Address: 109 W. Marcy, Montesano. 
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 671, Montesano, WA 98563. 
Phone (360) 249-3311
Fax (360) 249-5636

North Coast News
P.O. Box 272 Ocean Shores, Wa. 98569
360-289-2441

Nugguam
Quinault Indian Nation
1214 Aalis Drive
P.O. Box 189
Taholah, Wa. 98587
Phone: 360-276-8215
Toll free: 1-888-616-8211
Fax: 360-276-4191 

The Ocean Observer
Published monthly and mailed to all Ocean Shores Community Club members. To contact the office of the Ocean Observer, please call 360-289-4576 or e-mail morton.ink@gmail.com.







Property Information

Click here to visit Grays Harbor County parcel search

The Community Club should be contacted to see what their policy is.  If the properties are combined through the County Courtesy Combination process they can still be separated, and the Community Club may not allow removal of one yearly dues.

The City does not allow a garage on a vacant lot.  If you are planning to build across the line you may still be required to combine the property through the City Boundary Line Revision process.  Check with the Building Department for this requirement.

Documentation of ownership, provided by a Title Company, must be submitted with the application forms showing any encumbrances, proof of ownership and possible beneficiaries.  If there is a bank that you owe money to on one or all the properties, the bank and/or beneficiary will be required to provide consent to revise the boundary before we can approve the application. 
The application forms that will be recorded through the County Auditor are in duplicate, except that one is titled “Applicants Copy” and the other is tilted “Conformed Copy”.  After the application has been approved, the documents will need to be recorded through the County Auditor.  Once they are recorded, the “Conformed Copy” must be returned to the City to complete our review.  The forms are titled at the bottom of the page.
All taxes, current or delinquent, on all properties involved must be paid to Grays Harbor County Assessor’s Office prior to recording the approved documents (RCW 84.56.345).  The County Assessor’s Office will double check this when the documents are taken to the County for recording.  There is no need to provide this documentation to the City for review.
Wetlands may affect the buildability of a property.  When there are mapped wetlands on any property there is a process that must be followed.  First, a Wetland Specialist must determine if there is a wetland based on the maps and a site visit to determine if there are wetland indicators.  If there are wetland indicators, the specialist will determine what type of wetland it is (Category 1 through 4) and how much buffer is required to protect the wetland.  If the proposed use of the property will impact the wetland or its associated buffer there are steps you can take to offset the impacts.

Mitigation to provide protection of a wetland in another location, creation of a wetland to replace the impacted area, or purchase of a mitigation bank credit are some of the options to consider.  We can assist the property owner in determining if it is necessary to consult with a specialist for a proposed development.

Regulations for Critical Areas (wetlands or shorelines) can be found on the City webpage under Planning Department.  The Ocean Shores Municipal Code Title 19.02 and the Shoreline Master Plan are both very helpful.

If there are no mapped wetlands and no wetland indicators found on site during a site investigation then you can apply for permits for driveway, clearing and other development.

No, there will be no reduction to the LID Assessments by combining two or more properties.
Yes, a map showing the dimensions of the property before combining and what they will be after combining is required.  Also, show where any structures and driveway access are located on the maps.  Maps need to follow the requirements of the county for recording purposes.  If a map is submitted that does not comply with the county requirements, it may be altered to meet the requirements.  A 2 inch margin around the map is required and it should be no larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches.  
Yes, there is an address assigned to each lot.  If you prefer one over the other, please indicate your preference so we can include that in our review.  
If there is more than one connection to water or sewer you will be required to remove one or more to combine the properties.  If you do not want to remove a connection, you will need to coordinate with Utility Billing to determine if that is allowed.  Keeping more than one connection may require that the properties remain separate for billing purposes.
Yes, on the 6 page application form you will need to have a Notary.  On the other 2 signature pages it is not required.

Yes. Ocean Shores Municipal Code requires that a lot must be no less than 7,200 square feet.

No.  A survey is only required if you are moving a line that will be adding to or removing from the area of the lot.  A lot cannot be subdivided if it does not meet the minimum lot size of 7,200 square feet.
Only if you go through the process again to separate the lots back to the original plat.  They will be considered one large lot after going through the Boundary Line Revision combining the property and they will be assigned one address.
You will need to contact Grays Harbor County Treasures Office.


Public Records

To submit a public records request to the City of Ocean Shores you will need to complete the Public Records Request Form. The form is located on our Citizen Engagement Portal.  Once on the Citizen Engagement Portal page scroll down  to Public Records Request and click on the button "create".

Register to vote

Register to Vote

What are the requirements to register as a Washington State voter?
  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a legal resident of Washington State, your county and your precinct for 30 days immediately preceding the election in which you want to vote
  • be at least 18 years old by election day (16- and 17-year-olds can sign up as Future Voters and be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18)
  • not be disqualified from voting due to a court order
  • not be under Department of Corrections supervision for a Washington felony conviction
Voter Registration form pickup in Ocean Shores.

Available at the Ocean Shores Library located at 573 Point Brown Ave. NW
Ocean Shores, WA 98569  (hours and services may change, please contact the Library at 360-289-3919)


Report Hazards

Special Event Permits

Please Contact:
Permits, Parks Reservations & Special Event Permits
801 Minard Ave NW
Ocean Shores, WA 98569

Tel:  360-289-2754
Fax: 360-289-2022

Surplus

Items up for bid can be found here https://www.publicsurplus.com/. Email jwagner@osgov.com for questions.

Utility Billing

Wastewater Collection

Yes. Notes are made following an inspection and placed in the Property File for each property that connects to the Cities Wastewater Collection System. If you modify the pipework without a permit and there is a failure as a result. The Cities insurance coverage will not pay for any losses. The permit to modify your side sewer is $10.00 and includes an inspection prior to backfill. This will extend certain loss coverage depending on the nature of the cause. If you dump non permitted materials down your drain (GREASE), and the result is a blockage, there is no extension of coverage from the City’s insurance. Your homeowners insurance may cover this type of failure and you should verify this with them.
  1. Check all fixtures in the house starting with the lowest to the floor. Typically this is the shower or a floor drain. If only one or two are effected then a plumber or the owner is responsible for unplugging or repair.
  2. Check the candy cane or 4" vent located between the house and the property corner. If the vent is clear, no signs of sewage overflowing, and if you can see the trunk line by looking down the vent, and it is clear. Call a plumber or the owner may perform the work.
  3. If the vent pipe is overflowing then there may be a problem with the equipment that the City Staff is responsible for. The City will be happy to respond and check to see if the Pit is functioning properly, and assess whether the blockage is in the pit or in side sewer. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain the side sewer. If it is a property side blockage as determined by City staff, then a contractor or the owner is responsible for unplugging or repairing the line. A general contractor bonded to work in the right of way or a plumber may make these repairs. A licensed plumber or the owner must perform the work that is subject to a plumbing inspection (Anything under the house).
Note: If the side sewer is cut in any way a $10.00 permit is required and an inspection prior to backfill must be performed.
The Utility has a comprehensive preventative maintenance program that includes brushing out around the pit. This provides safe access to the pit 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In addition, the working components of the pit are inspected and tested annually. If there is a failure between the times of brush out and inspection, staff may be performing troubleshooting of the sewer system in your area. This troubleshooting may take place at any time, night or day. Maintenance of the pit serving your property ensures reliable operation of all sewer pits connected to the same station. If your pit fails open, all the other pits connected to that station are effected as a result. This infrastructure is located on City property and must be kept clear. Please do not plant trees or other vegetation near the pit where an operators may have to kneel or lay. Tree branches, Pampas grass, Yucca plants all present an eye hazard, especially at night. These will be removed during the annual maintenance brush out.
The sewer system requires that it be accessible 24/7. Do not park in such a way that staff cannot safely remove the manhole covers. Removing the cover requires tools that could damage a vehicle if bumped. The manhole covers are designed to carry the load of traffic so it is permissible to drive over the pit or manhole cover.
The City is happy to provide some guidance on side sewer installation, modification, or repairs. However it is the owner’s responsibility ultimately, for the final design or repair. The Ocean Shores Municipal Code 13.28 describe the requirements for proper design methods, including what types of materials and construction methods are allowed. If you do not have the skill or knowledge to perform this work, then a licensed bonded contractor should be used.

Read OSMC 13.28 Side Sewer Connections

In order to safely successfully install or repair a side sewer that is down in the water table, you must first dewater the sand to a point that is below the pipe to be accessed. Ocean Shores has a fairly high groundwater table most times of the year. The groundwater is typically at its lowest point in late summer into fall prior to the first big rain event. Dewatering points must be used to pump the water out of the sand and stabilize the trench. This will protect the utility from sand and water oozing in. Information regarding this process is available at the Permit Center. Staff will be happy to provide direction on what is required, or provide the names of contractors who can successfully perform this type of work. A bucket with holes in it and a submersible pump will not provide a safe stable trench or protect the infrastructure. It has been tried and it fails. Please do not attempt this method.
Online at http://www.codepublishing.com/WA/OceanShores/ Title 13 and chapters 26, 28, and 30 contain the information that govern the Wastewater Utility. The Code makes reference to a living document called the "side sewer requirements" sketch. A copy of these drawings are provided by request, or with the purchase of a side sewer permit. There is no cost for the drawing and they may be obtained at the permit center during normal business hours.

Water Treatment & Distribution

The City water pressure typically runs between 65 to 70 psi.
A 3/4" female connection.
Flushing removes sediment buildup from the distribution system and also exercises the fire hydrants to ensure proper operation and identify any maintenance needed. Click here to view the flushing schedule and obtain further information.
Contact the Water Department office for specific constituents or you can view the most current annual water quality report at www.osgov.com as well review previous reports here.
The main shut off valve is located in the meter box at the corner of your property, on the house side of the water meter.
It is recommended that you annually drain and flush your hot water heater to remove accumulated sediment. (See instructions for flushing your hot water here).

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Wastewater treatment plants remove impurities contained in the waste stream so the treated wastewater can be safely returned to the environment with little or no impact.  Our treatment plant must meet or exceed the discharge standards, conditions and requirements set forth in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, issued by the State of Washington Department of Ecology, to the Ocean Shores Wastewater Treatment Plant

The treated wastewater leaves the treatment process after it is disinfected and is then stored in a 1.5 million gallon storage lagoon. From the storage lagoon the treated water is discharged into the mouth of Grays Harbor by a valve programmed with the tide schedule, the valve opens one hour after high tide, for a discharge period of four hours with the out-going tide. The valve then closes one hour before the ebb tide and the cycle repeats for each high tide event.

The average daily flow to the Ocean Shores Wastewater Treatment Plant is between 400,000 and 700,000 gallons each day. Each month approximately 15 to 24 million gallons are treated at the plant.  Annually 185 to 220 million gallons of wastewater treated and over 3.7 billion gallons of wastewater have been treated since the plant was upgraded in 1999.

Yes, Bird Watchers may come into the Treatment Plant, but there are some considerations to ensure safety and prevent disruption of the treatment plant operation.

  1. The hours available for bird watching inside the plant fence is; Monday thru Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. The treatment plant is closed for business on Saturday and Sunday.
  2. Bird watching may only be done inside of the plant fence on foot, driving around the compound in private vehicles is not allowed. Please park in the Visitors Parking lot in front of the office at the top of the hill. If it is full there is additional parking just outside of the gate. Please do not block or stop on the roads inside the fence.
  3. Please check in at the office so staff knows you are there. On occasion staff has to leave and the gate will be locked.
  4. The only area for viewing birds inside the fence is around the 3 lagoons (which have asphalt paths around them).

No, wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove medications, residuals from the medications go directly out into the environment. The Ocean Shores Police department has recently added a drop box at the station for disposal of expired or unwanted medications.