Waterway Access Permit Program Helps Protect, Invest in Boating Infrastructure
Purchase a Waterway Access Permit, and you’ll be helping protect Oregon’s waterways from aquatic invasive species AND investing in nonmotorized access to the water!
This program addresses two critical needs for the state: preventing aquatic invasive species from contaminating waterways by expanding boat inspection stations and investing in paddling access to disperse choke points at boat ramps with safety-design improvements.
OSMB and ODFW co-manage the Waterway Access Permit Program. Permit dollars go into two dedicated accounts to fund ODFW boat inspection stations and boating facility access grants. The Marine Board awards grants to eligible public facility owners to:
- Buy property
- Develop, construct, renovate, and improve nonmotorized recreational boating access to the water
- Promote boating safety education and buy equipment for boating programs in underserved communities.
Specific access improvements with your permit dollars help fund:
- Carry-down trails, paths
- Nonmotorized launching ramps
- Low-freeboard docks for easier entry/exit
- Single car parking
- Sanitation, changing and rinsing stations
- Boat-in camping
- Storage racks
- Portable toilet dump stations
Three permit options are available through The Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) and Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW): 7-day permit, annual, and two-year permits. Annual and two-year permits are valid based on the calendar year, so purchase yours early to experience all Oregon has to offer in recreational boating opportunities.
ODFW online sales begin December 1, 2025, for 2026 permits. Click on “Buy License/Tag” and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Guest Checkout” link, then scroll to find and make your selection. Permits can be stored within the ODFW eLicensing app or can be printed.
How to Buy Permits Online through OSMB
The Boat Oregon Store is fast, secure and easy to use!
- Visit the Boat Oregon Store.
- Click “Online Services” in the upper right-hand corner (or find it in the footer).
- Click the link for the permit option you want.
- Click “Register” and follow the prompts to create an account.
- Once the transaction is processed, the permit can be printed or saved to your mobile device.
Since 2021, over $4.6 million in Waterway Access Permit dollars have been awarded to improve paddling access. See the completed projects from OSMB’s Grant History Dashboard, and click on the “WAG” tab for Waterway Access Grant. Learn more details about the Waterway Access Permit Program and answers to frequently asked questions.
