Ocean Shores, Washington Short-Term Rental Market
STRs limited to B-1 and B-2 zones; Grays Harbor area earned $4,186 monthly at $320 ADR, 46.5% occupancy, September 2026.
Quick Answer: Ocean Shores, Washington is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Grays Harbor market area is 46%. average monthly revenue in the Grays Harbor market area is $4,186. average daily rate in the Grays Harbor market area is $320. the top operator in the Grays Harbor market area is Seabrook Hospitality with 340 listings. market score is 54/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Grays Harbor regional market, which includes Ocean Shores. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Ocean Shores.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Ocean Shores sits on the Washington coast and is part of the Grays Harbor STR market, which is the framing used for every performance figure on this page. The metrics cover the Grays Harbor area, including nearby Hoquiam, and are shared across that area rather than measured uniquely for Ocean Shores. In September 2026 the Grays Harbor STR market averaged an ADR of $320, occupancy of 46.5%, and monthly revenue of $4,186 per listing. Entire-home listings averaged an ADR of $321, in line with the all-listings figure. Compared with a year earlier, occupancy is up 6.8%, ADR is up 6.1%, and revenue is up 12.2%, so the latest month gained from both more booked nights and higher rates. Ocean Shores has about 7,731 permanent residents and draws roughly 3 million visitors a year, which is the demand base behind these numbers. Visitors come mainly by car from the Seattle and Tacoma area for six miles of driveable beach, razor clam digging, storm watching, kite flying and golf. The Festival of Colors kite festival each June adds early summer traffic. Seasonality is pronounced: August occupancy reaches 75.7% while January falls to 30.3%. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and the top-operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Ocean Shores, so this profile omits them. The year-to-date picture for 2026 (nine months of data) shows an ADR of $324, occupancy of 47.7%, and monthly revenue of $4,509, compared with a 2025 full-year ADR of $302, occupancy of 45.0%, and revenue of $4,013. Investors should read these as area-wide benchmarks and pair them with the city zoning rule that limits permitted rentals to B-1 and B-2 commercial districts.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 30% |
| Feb | 39% |
| Mar | 44% |
| Apr | 52% |
| May | 47% |
| Jun | 55% |
| Jul | 71% |
| Aug | 76% |
| Sep | 49% |
| Oct | 41% |
| Nov | 39% |
| Dec | 36% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Ocean Shores are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Grays Harbor market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Grays Harbor market as a whole, which includes Ocean Shores, so these counts are not Ocean Shores-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seabrook Hospitality | 340 | 3,878 | ★ 4.75 |
| 2 | Oyhut Bay | 89 | 2,949 | ★ 4.88 |
| 3 | At the Beach Rentals Inc. | 78 | 8,743 | ★ 4.78 |
| 4 | Vacasa | 75 | 7,791 | ★ 4.41 |
| 5 | Istay Vacation Rentals | 68 | 4,654 | ★ 4.38 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Ocean Shores?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Ocean Shores are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 24.6% |
| vrbo | 5.6% |
| both | 69.9% |
Home Value Trends (Ocean Shores)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Ocean Shores are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Ocean Shores — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted in the City of Ocean Shores, but only under a permit and only in specific zones. A stay of 30 consecutive days or less counts as a short-term rental. Operators must first obtain a City business license at $50 per year, then complete the short-term rental permit process, which includes site plan review and, where applicable, a Fire Department life-safety inspection with a $50 fee. The permit and business license renew annually. The key limit is zoning: under Municipal Code Chapter 17.49, STRs are permitted only in the B-1 and B-2 commercial zoning districts and are not allowed in residential zones. The zone list sometimes quoted online (G-1, G-5, R-2, R-3, RR, LQ, C-2) belongs to unincorporated Grays Harbor County, not to the city. Properties outside city limits follow separate County rules. A 5% lodging tax applies to stays under 30 days, collected by operators and remitted through the Washington Department of Revenue, and state and local sales taxes also apply. There is no owner-occupancy requirement, no primary-residence requirement, and no published cap on rental nights per year. Properties must stay in substantial compliance with building and fire codes, state law, and the Municipal Code. The framework was set by Ordinance 469, effective March 22, 2022. STRs approved under a Conditional Use Permit or PUD before that date may be grandfathered. Enforcement severity is rated moderate, and no later moratorium or major overhaul was confirmed. Verify current rules with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
The Grays Harbor STR market shows a clear pattern: it earns on rate and season rather than steady volume. September 2026 occupancy was 46.5% at a $320 ADR. Peak months fill up, with July at 71.5% and August at 75.7%, while January at 30.3% is far lower. Revenue of $4,186 per listing per month comes from that combination of high rates and a pronounced season. Year-over-year growth of 12.2% in revenue, 6.8% in occupancy, and 6.1% in ADR shows momentum, and the 2026 year-to-date ADR of $324 is above the 2025 full-year figure of $302. Top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Ocean Shores, so this profile omits them. For investors comparing coastal markets, the draw here is a strong summer, a 3 million visitor base, and a lower cost of entry at a typical home value of $342,457. The drawbacks are winter softness and the B-1 and B-2 zoning limit on where rentals are allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ocean Shores, Washington
Are short-term rentals allowed in Ocean Shores, WA?
What is the average daily rate for Ocean Shores area Airbnbs?
What is the occupancy rate in the Ocean Shores area?
How much do Ocean Shores area short-term rentals earn?
What is the lodging tax on Ocean Shores short-term rentals?
What does a home cost in Ocean Shores?
What is the best time of year for Ocean Shores rentals?
Analyze Ocean Shores Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Ocean Shores.
Free Ocean Shores STR Calculator →
