Oregon Business License

Have an outstanding business idea and want to turn it into reality? Do you want to discover the laws & regulations and the requirements of starting your new business in Oregon?

You are in the right place as in this article I researched and gathered all the information you will need when establishing your business in the state.

Expect to read topics such as how to obtain a business license in Oregon, the necessity of getting licensed before launching a new business, the costs of licensure, and more.

Does Oregon require a business license?

The necessity of licensure in Oregon will depend on the location and the nature of your business. There isn’t a state-level general business license that would guarantee the operations of each type of business in different cities/counties. Instead, the local municipality sets the laws & regulations of licensure based on the industry of your business.

There are certain occupations and professions that require licensing in Oregon no matter what. The most common state-level licenses offered to certain professions and industries are as follows:

• Accountants
• Barbers
• Electricians
• Contractors
• Food-related industries
• And more

The following professions need to be registered with the state before starting their business. To learn more about the requirements, fees, and regulations of various types of licenses/ permits visit the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services website. The license lookup tool will allow you to check all the required information of licensure related to the industry of your business.

How do I get a business license in Oregon?

As soon as you decide the nature of your business you will be able to better understand where to apply for licensure in Oregon. As we discussed earlier, certain professions/occupations will require licensing prior to establishing a new business.

Additionally, the local counties/cities may decide to demand licensing requirements and set the rules of registration of your business depending on the location. Next, we will talk about the main cities in Oregon that have licensing requirements.

Portland, Oregon

All the doing business in Portland and Multnomah County operating within the city limits should register for the business license tax and business income tax. The doing business is characterized as a business:

• That has a retail location in the city
• Performs services in Portland/Multnomah County
• Carrying out self-employment works in the city/county
• Has residential or commercial rental property within the city/county limits
• Maintains stock of goods in Portland

Business license registration in Portland/Multnomah County is free of charge although there will be annual taxations.

Gresham, Oregon

To start your business in Gresham City you need to apply for a business license. Commercial businesses, home-based businesses, or independent contractors operating within the city limits should register the business and obtain the proper licensing. In addition to this, you may also need to register with the Office of City Clark if your business is in food establishments, tattoo art, etc.

Eugene, Oregon

There are several industries that will require licensing before establishing a business in Eugene. The following types of businesses should register with the City of Eugene in order to operate successfully:

• Payday Lenders
• Public Passenger Vehicle Companies (such as taxis, shuttles, horse-drawn carriages, etc.)
• Tobacco Retailers

If there are still questions that remained answered regarding the type of license you will need and for your business reach out to Oregon’s Small Business Advocate at 1-844-469-5512 or you can fill out your queries in this form. Coming up, we will discuss the process of registering your business in Oregon before applying for a license/permit.

How to register your business in Oregon

Prior to your business license application, you must first establish the legal entity of your business. The following steps should be taken to form your business in Oregon:

• Choose the legal entity of your business. Your business entity can be a corporation, LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.
• Register your business name. You should pick a unique name for your business including the phrase of the legal entity. If your business structure is a sole proprietorship or general partnership and the business will operate under a fictitious name or DBA (Doing Business As) you should file an Assumed Name.
• Appoint a registered agent. The law requires assigning a registered agent or a business providing registered agent services to receive legal documents on behalf of your company. To learn more about how to appoint a registered agent visit the Oregon Secretary of State website
• File the business formation documents. To form a corporation, e.g., you need to file the Articles of Incorporation with the Oregon Secretary of State along with the filing fee of $100. To establish an LLC business in Oregon, you should file the Articles of Organization along with the state filing fee of $100.
• Obtain a Business Identification Number from the Oregon Department of Revenue
• Register with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to receive Federal Employer Identification Number
• Get insured. Depending on the location and the industry you may need to obtain general liability insurance.

How much does it cost for a business license in Oregon?

The cost of the license in Oregon will be aligned with the business type and location. For instance, the general business license in Gresham is $80 plus $3 per employee after the first 2. The Oregon state-level licensure for Public Accountants costs $150 for the application fee and $160 for the initial permit.

Can you run a business without a business license in Oregon?

The necessity of obtaining a business license in Oregon depends on the state and local requirements of licensure. The license requirements may vary according to the location and the nature of your business.