Download the Good Neighbor Guide Brochure or read in the page below with active links to websites.

Welcome to Cape Meares

The small community of Cape Meares is nestled in a dramatic landscape of beaches, grassy dunes, lake/wetlands, and coastal forests. The community has about 160 homes—a mix of permanent and intermittent residents, as well as visitors in short-term rentals—a volunteer-run fire station, a community center, and no commercial businesses. We strive to create and maintain a safe, friendly atmosphere while respecting
individual privacy and rights and protecting the surrounding natural environment. Please consider the information in this guide—In the
Neighborhood, On the Beach, Who to Contact—for the safety, well-being, and enjoyment of all who share this place.

In the Neighborhood

• Please drive slowly and follow speed limits – we share the road with walkers of all ages, bicyclists, pets, deer, and elk. All roads in Cape Meares dead-end and many are not paved and can create dust.
• Park responsibly – parked vehicles may not block driveways or emergency access lanes.
• Quiet hours are from 10pm to 7am – please be aware and respectful of others.
• Please minimize outdoor lighting – lighting should be downward facing and not shine beyond the property perimeter. Minimal lights at night help lessen disruption of bird migration and maintain dark skies for stargazing. Dark Skies – Outdoor Lighting Presentation
• Only use legal fireworks – if using fireworks in the community, make sure to have a hose or water bucket nearby and be respectful of quiet hours. Fireworks are not allowed on the beach. Legal fireworks do not explode, fly into the air, travel more than six feet horizontally and/or 12 inches vertically from the point of ignition. They include cone fountains, cylindrical fountains, flitter sparklers, ground spinners, illuminating torches, wheels, etc.
• Know your tsunami evacuation routes – signs are located around the community and information about emergency preparedness pages are found on the Cape Meares website.
• Hunting season – be aware that you may hear hunting gunfire in the fall and winter. Hunters must obtain appropriate licenses and tags, are never allowed to shoot across roadways, and must follow all other regulations about hunting on state, county, and private properties. Oregon Fish and Wildlife website.
• Short Term Rentals – rentals are licensed by Tillamook County and must abide by various rules including occupancy limits, adherence to quiet hours, appropriate trash disposal, parking limits, and prohibited use of tents or recreational vehicles. Violations to Short Term Rental use may result in warnings, fines, and revocation of license. Tillamook County Short Term Rental Licensing website.

On the Beach

Have fun at the beach, be safe, and follow beach rules so everyone can enjoy themselves.

• No motorized vehicles – only official or permitted vehicles are allowed on the beach. Motorized vehicles include any means of powered personal transport (electric bikes, scooters, motorcycles, etc.). Vehicles on the beach are a safety hazard to people, pets, and wildlife.
• No camping or overnight parking is allowed at the Bayocean Road beach parking area.
• Be aware of tides and sneaker waves – always keep an eye on the water as waves can surge up to the dunes and over into the Bayocean Road beach parking area.
• Please keep pets under control – keep within sight and responsive to commands or leashed, prevent pets from harassing wildlife and other beach visitors, and remove pet waste.
• Leave no trace – please take all your belongings, garbage, dog poop bags, etc. with you when you leave, so we all experience a clean shared space. We have tried providing waste bins, but unfortunately, they encourage overflow and dumping.
• Beach campfires are only allowed on open sand – they must be no larger than 3 feet x 3 feet and be at least 25 feet away from beach access points, shoreline vegetation, and driftwood logs. Only use untreated wood free from nails, glass, and plastic. Be aware of seasonal fire restrictions. Fires easily get out of control in the driftwood and dunes which puts residences at risk and our Cape Meares volunteer firefighters have limited resources. Thoroughly put out campfires with water – do not cover with sand as they can smolder, flame up later, and unsuspecting pets or people can step on them.
• No fireworks on the beach – fireworks can start dune fires, scare wildlife and pets, be a safety hazard, and all fireworks are illegal on our state beaches!
• Drones may not be launched from the beach – drones disturb wildlife, pets, and other beach goers. Please be considerate.
• Beach events that require a special-use permit – organized gatherings of 50 people or more; activities with structures/or decorations such as a stage, event tents, archways, tables/chairs; commercial filming; sales of goods and services by vendors; activities that restrict public access, etc. Obtain permits from Oregon Parks Special Use Permit.
• Keep your distance from stranded marine animals –do not move, touch, or disturb the animal, and keep dogs leashed. Please report the stranding – see Who to Contact below or visit Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Snowy Plover Management Area
Cape Meares Beach is home to protected nesting grounds for the Western Snowy Plover. This tiny shorebird is a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Plovers nest in dry open sand, in tiny, shallow scrapes that are very well camouflaged. Not only are nests easy to miss (or step on), but the bird will abandon its eggs if repeatedly disturbed by activities it considers a threat—activities we may see as harmless, like walking a dog, throwing a ball and flying a kite. The protected area is a two-mile stretch from the northernmost end of the beach near the jetty and any additional areas depending on the season and bird activity. During its spring and summer nesting season March 15-Sept. 15, certain recreation activities are restricted or prohibited. Visitors need to watch for signs or fences—where plovers are nesting, dogs (even on-leash), bicycles, kites, drones, and fires are prohibited. Pedestrians and equestrians need to stay on wet sand. Western Snowy Plover Recovery Plan website.

Who to Contact

Tillamook County Sheriff
Emergency – 911
Non-emergency – (503) 815-1911
For community disturbances (non-Short-Term Rental), unauthorized
camping, vandalism, hunting concerns, illegal firework use, etc.

Oregon State Parks
Cape Lookout State Park Ranger Office – (503) 842-3182
Mon-Fri 8am – 4:30pm
Registration Booth – (503) 842-4981
Mon-Sun 9am – 9pm during peak season
For concerns on the beach—vehicles, beach events, boats washed
ashore, etc.
Coastal Region Office – (541) 563-8500
For beach event special-use permit Oregon Parks Special Use Permit.

Marine Mammal Stranding Network
(541) 270-6830, Jim Rice
Call if you see large sea mammals—whales, dolphins, porpoises,
seals, sea lions, sea otters—on beach.

Tillamook County Roads Department
(503) 842-3419
For concerns about the Bayocean beach parking area, overnight
vehicles, etc.

Tillamook County Parks Department
(503) 322-3522
For concerns about the Bayocean Peninsula

Short Term Rentals
Non-emergency Hotline – (503) 850-0402
Online Complaint Portal: For concerns about short-term rental properties. Call the hotline or use the online portal to report the address and complaint. The renters should be contacted by phone or in-person within 30 minutes of receiving a complaint. Please report your complaint experience to capemearesa@gmail.com.

Oregon Tide Charts
tide-forecast.com
To determine timing of high and low tides.

Tillamook Fire District
911
For fires and other emergencies

Tillamook Fire District
For seasonal fire restriction information

Tillamook K9 Rescue
(503) 815-1911
If you find or lose a dog.

Cape Meares Community Website
For information about the Cape Meares
Community Association, News, Events, Projects, Emergency Preparedness, About, Donate to CMCA, Reports & Business