Coffee shop licenses
in Portland, Oregon
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is a coffee shop located in Portland, Oregon, within Multnomah County. It serves customers in person and online, prepares food, and will have W-2 employees.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the exact fee for the Multnomah County restaurant license based on the seating capacity?
- Will the coffee shop's gross receipts exceed the MCBIT exemption threshold?
- Is the specific address in both the City of Portland and Multnomah County tax jurisdictions?
- What are the current rates for TriMet transit tax and Statewide Transit Tax?
- Does the coffee shop need a grease interceptor based on its kitchen setup?
- Are there any additional local permits required for outdoor seating?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Workers' compensation coverage; New-hire reporting; Food-manager certification and presence rules; Construction permits for the commercial premises. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 18- 01Restaurant License (food service establishment license) with plan reviewMultnomah County Health Department, Environmental Health · County
The coffee shop prepares and serves food to the public from a set address, which requires a county restaurant license and a pre-opening plan review and inspection.
RequiredAnnual - 02Food Handler Card (county-administered)Multnomah County Health Department · County
The coffee shop will have W-2 employees handling food; Oregon law requires all food handlers to obtain a food handler card within 30 days of employment.
RequiredNot published - 03Revenue Division Tax Account (City of Portland Business License Tax and Multnomah County Business Income Tax)City of Portland Revenue Division · Portland
The coffee shop has a commercial place of business, a stock of goods, and employees in Portland.
RequiredAnnual - 04Business entity registration (Oregon Business Registry)Oregon Secretary of State — Corporation Division · Oregon
Almost every business operating in Oregon must register its legal structure with the Secretary of State before operating.
RequiredBiennial - 05Assumed Business Name (DBA) registrationOregon Secretary of State — Corporation Division · Oregon
If the shop operates under a name different from the legal entity name, Oregon requires an assumed business name registration.
RequiredRenew every two years - 06Oregon business income tax registration (BIN / state tax account)Oregon Department of Revenue · Oregon
The business will have Oregon income tax filing obligations and needs the state's Business Identification Number (BIN) for payroll.
RequiredNo renewal
This example includes 12 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a coffee shop in Portland check?
Our research identifies Revenue Division Tax Account (City of Portland Business License Tax and Multnomah County Business Income Tax), issued by City of Portland Revenue Division, as required. The coffee shop has a commercial place of business, a stock of goods, and employees in Portland. Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a coffee shop in Portland?
About $50 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) — IRS (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Federal employment taxes (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Form I-9 employment eligibility verification (U.S. Department of Homeland Security — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical coffee shop. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.