Licenses and permits to open a restaurant in Portland
A restaurant files the most: company and tax registration, then the build-out, the health permit and the inspections that come with it. Here are the 5 filings, in the order they're made.
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal
Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, faxed or mailed
- Takes
- Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.
Portland business tax registration
City of Portland Revenue DivisionPortland
One Revenue Division account covers the Portland Business License Tax, the Multnomah County Business Income Tax and the Metro Supportive Housing Services tax. Register online in Portland Revenue Online with the tax ID, entity type, locations and owners, or mail, fax or bring the paper form.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Oregon employer registration (payroll taxes)
Oregon Department of Revenue, with the Oregon Employment DepartmentOR
Every employer with paid employees in Oregon registers before the first paycheck, online in Revenue Online or the Oregon Business Registry, or on the paper Combined Employer's Registration sent to the Employment Department. One number covers withholding, unemployment tax, the Workers' Benefit Fund and transit taxes.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The state gives 30 business days online (60 on paper), and up to 14 business days through the Oregon Business Registry.
Restaurant plan review
Multnomah County Environmental HealthPortland
Needed before opening a new restaurant or remodeling one. Send the plan review application, the plans and the fee; construction can start once the approval letter arrives.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- A response within 15 business days of receiving it.
Multnomah County restaurant license
Multnomah County Environmental HealthPortland
Send the license application and fee (it can go with the plan review), then call for the pre-opening inspection once construction is done; you get the license and can open after it passes. Restaurant workers need food handler cards.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- The pre-opening inspection can take up to 5 business days to schedule.
- Renews
- Every year: the license runs for the calendar year, renewed by paying by January 1.
More on opening in Portland
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Portland
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your restaurant in Portland
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders