Hair salon 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 hair salon located in Portland, Oregon, within Multnomah County, that operates from a physical commercial location and employs W-2 staff. It sells retail goods but does not serve food or alcohol. Legal structure is not specified in this example; entity formation applies only if that structure is chosen.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- County
- Multnomah County
- City
- City of Portland
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the exact address of the salon to confirm zoning and occupancy requirements?
- Will the salon exceed the $750,000 threshold for Corporate Activity Tax registration?
- What is the current fee for the Assumed Business Name registration?
- What is the total cost for the Hair Design Practitioner Certification including all fees?
- Is there a specific timeline for obtaining the facility license before opening?
- Are there any additional local permits required for signage or other business operations?
- Confirm the legal structure before using entity-formation instructions or including entity-specific fees in the startup budget.
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: State unemployment insurance employer account; New-hire reporting; State wage withholding account; Construction permits for the commercial premises. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 14- 01Oregon Board of Cosmetology Facility LicenseOregon Health Authority, Health Licensing Office · Oregon
Oregon law requires every location where hair services are performed to hold a facility license before opening for business.
RequiredAnnual - 02Hair Design Practitioner CertificationOregon Health Authority, Health Licensing Office · Oregon
The owner and every W-2 stylist who performs hair services must hold a current Oregon hair design certification.
RequiredEvery two years - 03Multnomah County Business Income Tax (MCBIT) — registration and annual returnMultnomah County (collected and administered jointly with the City of Portland Revenue Division) · County
The salon operates a place of business in Multnomah County and is engaged in profit-seeking activity there.
RequiredAnnual. File the business tax return and pay at the same time as federal and state income tax returns. - 04Portland Business License Tax — registration and annual returnCity of Portland Revenue Division · Portland
The salon has a place of business in Portland where business affairs are regularly conducted.
RequiredAnnual — file business tax return and pay at the same time as federal/state income tax returns. - 05Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The salon will hire W-2 employees; the IRS requires an EIN to hire employees, and an LLC or corporation needs an EIN regardless.
RequiredNone (one-time number) - 06Federal income tax withholding, FICA, and federal unemployment (FUTA) taxesInternal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The salon will have W-2 employees, so it must withhold and remit federal income tax and FICA and pay FUTA.
RequiredQuarterly/annual filings
This example includes 8 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 hair salon in Portland check?
Our research identifies Portland Business License Tax — registration and annual return, issued by City of Portland Revenue Division, as required. The salon has a place of business in Portland where business affairs are regularly conducted. 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 hair salon in Portland?
About $155 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) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Federal income tax withholding, FICA, and federal unemployment (FUTA) taxes (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Business entity registration (Articles of Organization for an LLC) (if applicable) (Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division). 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 hair salon. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.