Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Written By Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Staff Reviewer Rob Watts Managing Editor, SMBWith over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
Rob Watts Managing Editor, SMBWith over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
Rob Watts Managing Editor, SMBWith over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
Rob Watts Managing Editor, SMBWith over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
| Managing Editor, SMB
Updated: Jul 24, 2024, 4:43pm
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Getty
Even the most shrewd entrepreneurs can lose themselves in the complex legal requirements and the many steps required to get an Oregon business license. To make the process easier, follow our simple guide on how to get an Oregon business license. We’ll walk you through each step and highlight important considerations to keep in mind.
Because there is no sales tax in the state of Oregon, businesses are not required to obtain a seller’s permit to handle sales tax. Nor does the state itself require a business operating license. Localized business licensing, handled by Oregon cities, counties and/or municipalities, may be required for either all businesses or for specific professions and industries. In Portland, for example, every business must register and obtain a business license.
While some smaller towns or unincorporated areas in Oregon do not require a business license, nearly every established town, city and/or county will require every business to obtain a business license. Some local governments also require certain types of businesses working in select professions to obtain various forms of licensing or certification also often referred to as business licensing. The city of Rockaway Beach, for example, requires every business established in the town to obtain a business license despite a population of only 1,000.
Since business licensing is handled by local governments, we strongly urge new business owners to research the specific regulations and requirements in the jurisdictions their businesses operate. You can get a full list of Oregon’s city websites here and a full list of Oregon’s county websites here.
Nearly all Oregon-based businesses will need at least one type of license or permit to legally operate within the state, but determining which licenses you need to start your specific business can be a complex and confusing process—mostly because your set of licenses and permits will be specific to your locality. You may also be required to get different licenses for the same business if you run multiple locations in separate towns or counties.
The types of business you operate will determine which local, county, state and/or federal business licenses you need to obtain. Oregon offers a helpful business license directory that can be searched by license type or by city or state agency to help business owners figure out which licenses may be required.
Since the state of Oregon does not have a general business license issued by the state government or any kind of seller’s permit (since the state does not have sales tax), the most common types of business licenses obtained in Oregon are issued at the local level. These local business licenses—sometimes called business operating licenses or general licenses—may be required for any business in the city or county or only for certain professions. These professions and industries commonly include more regulated industries such as agriculture, alcohol, food, health and transportation.
Additional permits or licenses may be required on a city or county level when starting your business in Oregon. Certain business locations may require an occupancy permit and home-based businesses may need a special home occupation permit. If you’re doing new construction or renovations, you may need a building permit from the planning department as well.
Any businesses serving food or providing accommodations often, if not always, require some form of permit or license from the local and/or state health departments. These permits are not the same nor included by default with a business operating license, so you should research to see which permits you may need before starting your business.
Oregon’s lack of state sales tax and the generally pro-business attitude of the state mean there is no required statewide seller’s permit or business license required by the Oregon state government.
Various state agencies do regulate and require licensing for certain professions and industries including alcohol, agriculture, transportation and marijuana growing and distribution. Oregon offers a business license directory to help business owners determine which statewide licenses may be needed and which agencies should be contacted to obtain them.
Most businesses are not required to obtain any federal licenses or permits, especially if smaller and without a national presence. If your business conducts activities regulated on the federal level, you likely need to get a federal license, permit or certification of some kind.
Common federal business licensing areas include:
