FAQ

• Service Twelve is a non-profit corporation formed under RCW 24.03. The yearly fee is NOT a voluntary club membership fee.  Membership attaches to the lots. 
 
• Service Twelve is not in any way related to, nor are we associated with, Ocean Shore’s Community Club. Service Twelve is a separate entity, a group of lot owners, --a property development, not a recreation club.
 
• Service Twelve lots were originally developed in 1966 in Ocean Shores to set aside an area for people to use tents, travel trailers, etc., without a permit to limit time, or to meet other City restrictions.  
 
• Lots in the rest of the City of Ocean Shores, as opposed to those in Service Twelve, have to abide by city restrictions, meaning that in the rest of the City you cannot have a camper on your lot more than 90 days per year, and you cannot live in them or in smaller park-models or cabins as your primary residence. 
 

• Service Twelve Inc. pays taxes and insurance on the green belts, common areas, and clubhouse. (This includes the city LID charges.)

• It pays for the restrooms and clubhouse, including regular cleaning and maintenance.  (Much of the maintenance is done for free by neighborhood volunteers.)

• Utilities for the clubhouse; i.e. water, sewer, power, garbage. • Cleaning supplies.

• Office and postage expenses.

• Legal fees.

• Liability insurance for the Board Members.

• Secretary of State licensing fees.

 Service Twelve Inc.’s Articles of Incorporation, 8/11/66, authorizes the Board under ARTICLE II, Section 3. “To fix, establish, levy and collect annually such charges and/or assessments as may be necessary, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees…”, and in Section 4. “To enforce liens, charges….”
 
• The yearly dues are set by the Board, who are elected by the members at each Annual Meeting. The Board is tasked to set the dues at an amount to keep the corporation solvent without making a profit.
 
• At the June 9, 2007, Annual Member Meeting, a vote was taken about whether or not to dissolve the Service Twelve Incorporation and merge with the City of Ocean Shores. This Annual Meeting was the largest attended meeting ever, and the membership voted by a wide margin (only 4 voted against it) to maintain our status as it has been since 1966.  In other words, we are authorized by the membership at large. 
 

The previous information has been moved to the bottom of this document, it is INCORRECT information regarding what would happen if Service Twelve dissolved and what would become of all the right of ways that are broken down into 9 parcels/or plats of land.

 

We have spoken to the City of Ocean Shores planning/zoning department as well as the Grays Harbor County Treasurer's office and this is the information we received.   If you want to verify the Current information provided below please call and verify for yourself. Ocean Shores Planning & Zoning Department 360-289-2754 and Grays Harbor County Treasurer 360-249-3751.

 

2026 CURRENT INFORMATION:

 

April 28, 2026

 

Here's the content of an email we received from the Ocean Shores Planning/Zoning Department.  

 

• For Service Twelve to have camping lots, we need a public restroom.

• Even if you personally have a bathroom, others do not. The public restroom is an important community sanitation necessity.
• At the 2002, 2005, and 2007 Annual Member meetings, the members voted to keep the restrooms.  These days, members are voting with their feet.  The restrooms are used frequently throughout the year, especially during holidays and in the summer.

• Members can also use the clubhouse recreation room for private parties or meetings.

• Keep in mind, the membership fees are not just for the restrooms.  They also cover insurance and taxes on the greenbelts, which you would otherwise have to pay on your own, along with other expenses necessary to maintain Service Twelve, Inc.

• Service Twelve Inc. was registered as a non-profit corporation on August 31, 1966, filed under Chapter 24.04 of the revised code of Washington. The Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws are filed with the State of Washington.  This information is also listed on this website, Governance, servicetwelveinc.com, and there is a sign about the dues posted outside on the clubhouse at 128 Galleon Loop.  Copies of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws will be mailed to you upon request.
 
• If you purchase or own a lot in Service Twelve, you are automatically a member of Service Twelve, Inc. and must submit to the By-laws of Incorporation. Service Twelve lots include Lot numbers 18 through 204 in Division 12 in Ocean Shores. Note in Article II of the By-Laws: • Section 2. “Membership shall be inseparably appurtenant to the lots owned or being purchased by the members….” • Section 3. “No member may withdraw except upon the transfer of title....”
 
• The information about Service Twelve’s status and dues has been a matter of public record since the development of Service Twelve, Inc. in 1966.  It is something a real estate company and title company should find out before closing on a property. In years past, we went out of our way to remind real estate offices and title companies about Service Twelve’s status. Due to turn-over in these companies, and the fact that properties are often sold through companies outside of Ocean Shores, or are privately transferred, the information was not always passed onto the purchaser.  However, this does not excuse escrow and title companies from doing their due diligence.  In March 2008, we filed Claims of Equitable Servitude with Grays Harbor County, not to change the regulations, but to make the information easier to find in a title search.
 
• It is the legal responsibility of the seller of a property, the real estate agent, and/or the Title/Escrow Company to inform the purchaser about all fees before transfer of title. It is also their responsibility to make sure past dues are paid in full before the sale is closed.  If you are upset about not being informed about fees attached to the property, you need to seek redress from the Real Estate, Title Company, or original owner.  It is impossible for the Service Twelve Board to inform a purchaser in advance of a lot sale because they have no way of knowing the property is being sold until after closing.
 
• Service Twelve, Inc. does send yearly bills for the dues.  All property owners were informed of the membership fees within a year after purchase of the lot.  That would have been the time to address the issue with the seller, escrow/title company, or realtor.  

• What other condo or housing development allows you to voluntarily choose to pay or not to pay HOA or other membership dues?  Answer:  None.
 
• Unless your member dues are paid in full and are current, you cannot vote at the member meetings; nor can you use facilities owned by Service Twelve, which includes the restrooms and clubhouse.  
 
• If the dues are more than a year late, the past-due bill can be turned over for collection and a lien placed on the property, including interest and late charges.
 
• If enough lot-owners refuse to pay their yearly dues, Service Twelve Inc. would have to be dissolved because we cannot operate without funds.  Read the above regarding the consequences of merging with the City and changing our zoning.  
 
• When you refuse to pay, you are burdening your neighbors with your portion of the Service Twelve expenses.  Can you honestly say this is fair?
 
Service Twelve Board Members are your neighbors who have volunteered to serve for free for the betterment of our community. They do not want to be bill collectors. Board Members are just doing their duty to preserve Service Twelve Inc., which includes being fiscally responsible.