Dialing 503-738-6311 connects you to South County Dispatch, who notifies personnel on-call.
FAQs
How do I reach a Police Officer and/or Firefighter after hours in non-emergency situations?
When and where are public meetings typically held?
City Council Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.
Planning Commission Meetings are held the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m.
All meetings are held at Gearhart City Hall (698 Pacific Way) unless otherwise noted.
Per ORS 192.640 all Public Meetings require reasonable notice, defined as a minimum of 24 hours. Public Hearings give a weeks notice.
What is the mailing address for City Hall?
PO Box 2510
Gearhart, OR
97138
Can I drive on the beach?
Yes. 10th St provides vehicle beach access. 4WD/AWD is highly recommended -- sand levels and consistency constantly change. You cannot drive south beyond 10th, but you can drive as far north as Warrenton.
Is there beach access for people with mobility issues?
Although Gearhart has no smooth established access points to the beach, the City does offer FREE beach wheelchair rentals for public use! Click HERE for more information.
Where are the public restrooms?
Public restrooms are located at the tennis courts (321 1st Ave, also accessible from Pacific Way).
Is there a leash law in Gearhart?
No. Dogs are not required to be on leash, however, city ordinance states owners must always have full control of their dogs. Dogs uncontrollable via voice command must be on a leash.
Where can I take any lost items I find in town or on the beach?
Found items may be taken to the Police Department located within City Hall (698 Pacific Way).
"Do I need a permit for this?"
You might! Click HERE for our list of commonly issued forms, licenses and permits.
Why am I hearing what sounds like a siren alarm?
Gearhart Fire runs a test of the Tsunami Warning System the first Wednesday of every month around 11 a.m. (September-May).
There will be (3) beeps accompanied by a verbal “test” message.
Speaking of tsunamis (and earthquakes), what do I need to know?
Knowledge is power. Our Gearhart Volunteer Fire Department has a page on their website devoted to the topic. Click HERE for how to best prepare for an event.
Is there a City Park?
While there are a few areas around town zoned as parks, the most well-known city park is Dune Meadows, located at the far west end of Pacific Way between Ocean and Marion.
Can I reserve park picnic tables?
Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Are there any tennis courts in the City?
Yes, the tennis courts, basketball hoop, and public restrooms are all parallel to the City Park. Built above Gearhart’s Water Treatment Facility, the actual address is 321 1st Ave. There is also access from Pacific Way.
Is there a school in Gearhart?
No. Gearhart Elementary School, previously located at 1002 Pacific Way, relocated south to Spruce Drive in Seaside after the 2020 school year.
Does Gearhart have a public library?
No. The nearest public library is south off Hwy 101 and Broadway in Seaside.
I’m having an after-hours water emergency. How do I reach Public Works?
South County Dispatch will notify personnel on-call: 503-738-6311.
I need to start/stop my water service. What do I do?
Call our Water Clerk at City Hall: 503-738-5501 or email: water@cityofgearhart.com. Answer a few short questions and you’re all set!
I have a question about my water bill and/or AutoPay. Who can help?
We are happy to field bill related questions. City Hall is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by or give us a call: 503-738-5501.
You can also email us at: water@cityofgearhart.com.
If you just need to make a one-time payment, you can pay your water bill online at any time.
The site also offers account setup where you can opt out of paper statements and enroll in AutoPay. To enroll in AutoPay, make sure your previous balance is caught up as it only deducts current/new charges each billing cycle. It can take your bank 7-14 days to setup AutoPay on their end. The AutoPay will draft on the 20th of your billing cycle per your billing statement. You can opt to have AutoPay draft the total balance each cycle, or only the current new charges.
UNDERSTANDING MY WATER BILL:
Your water bill will show usage as "cons" billed every two months. (1) con equals 748 gallons of water. The flat rate varies based on location and meter size; for example, a 3/4" meter in city limits using 0-10 cons is $39 every two months, and $58.50 outside city limits. So whether you don't use a single drop of water or you use up to the maximum 7,480 gallons of water, that flat rate minimum will be billed. Each con over 10 (in this example) is billed at $6.44 in city limits, and $9.66 outside city limits.
Can I rent my home as a short-term vacation rental?
Only homes within an R-3 zone (high-density residential) are vacation rental eligible. Click HERE for more information.
I want to build a fence. What are the rules?
According to city ordinance, fences may not exceed 6 feet (2.5 feet in “clear vision” areas) when measured from the ground up. Construction materials may not be sharp or dangerous (e.g. barbed wire, etc.).
The City Administrator and/or Building Official can answer more in depth questions on constructing a fence: 503-738-5501.
What is the Building Official’s schedule?
He can typically be found Monday-Wednesday-Friday in City Hall, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Exceptions to this would be a scheduled inspection.
When do I need a building permit?
There is no short answer. In general, a building permit is required when there is a structural change or alteration. Two sets of plans, a plot change and DEQ approval must accompany an application. Click HERE for specific building permit provisions, including how to apply and how they’re issued. (pg 195, Chapter 150: Building Regulations)
Isn't there a list of FAQ's about the proposed new fire / police station?
Do search results include the contents of PDFs and other documents?
Yes and no. The website indexes web pages as well as PDF names, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.
However, the way the upload reads the majority of scanned .pdf files is through imaging. Therefore, it cannot recognize text within most .pdf files.