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15 permits · verified 2026-10-09

What permits do you need to open a retail store in Multnomah County?

In short

A retail store in Multnomah County, OR has 1 permit that applies to every business of this type, plus 14 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. Multnomah County Health Department, Environmental Health Services charges $1,184 per retail location per year (FY 2027 County Fee Schedule, effective 1 July 2026) for the tobacco retail license. 7 of the 15 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-09 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.

Permits particular to a retail store in Multnomah County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Animal Facility License (Pet Shops, Boarding, Training, Breeding, Doggie Daycare)only if it applies to youMultnomah County Animal ServicesDomestic animal facility license: 1-10 animals $180; 11 or more animals $210.one year from the date of issuance (MCC 13.151(B))2026-10-09
Tobacco Retail Licenseonly if it applies to youMultnomah County Health Department, Environmental Health Services$1,184 per retail location per year (FY 2027 County Fee Schedule, effective 1 July 2026)one calendar year from the date of issuance (MCC 21.561(D))2026-10-09
Temporary Restaurant (Food Event) Licenseonly if it applies to youMultnomah County Health Department, Environmental Health Services2026 fee: single event license (1-30 days) $210; intermittent license (30 days) $210; seasonal license (90 days) $210. Late fee $100 when payment arrives less than 2 business days (by noon) before the event. Operational plan review for a seasonal or intermittent license $140. Benevolent organization administrative fee $50 per year.single event up to 30 days; intermittent 30 days; seasonal 90 days2026-10-09
Liquor License County Recommendation to OLCC (Unincorporated Multnomah County)only if it applies to youMultnomah County Sheriff's Office, Law Enforcement Support UnitCounty processing fee: original application $100; change in ownership, location or privilege $75; renewal $35. Checks payable to Multnomah County Sheriff.per application; processing may take 8-12 weeks according to the Sheriff's 2024 OLCC application instructions2026-10-09

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

Local permits that apply to every type of business in Multnomah County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Multnomah County Business Income Tax (MCBIT) Registration and ReturnCity of Portland Revenue Division (administering Multnomah County taxes)Varies — formula on the Multnomah County pageannual; the return is due by the fifteenth day of the fourth month after the end of the tax year (MCC 12.510(A))2026-10-09
Preschool for All Personal Income Tax: Employer Withholdingonly if it applies to youCity of Portland Revenue Division (administering Multnomah County taxes)Varies — formula on the Multnomah County pageongoing, through payroll2026-10-09
Building Permit for Unincorporated Property (Issued by Portland, Gresham or Troutdale)only if it applies to youCity building permit offices serving unincorporated Multnomah County (Portland, Gresham, Troutdale)Varies — formula on the Multnomah County pageper permit, under the issuing city's rules2026-10-09
Zoning Plan Check and Sign Permit (Unincorporated Multnomah County)only if it applies to youMultnomah County Department of Community Services, Land Use PlanningVaries — formula on the Multnomah County pageper application2026-10-09

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

OR registrations that apply to every type of business

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Business Identification Number (payroll)only if it applies to youOregon Department of RevenueNo feeone-time registration, with quarterly reporting after that2026-09-03
Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to youOregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division$100 one-time filingperpetual, but an annual report is due every year2026-09-03
Corporate Activity Tax Registrationonly if it applies to youOregon Department of RevenueNo feeone-time registration, with annual returns after that2026-09-03
Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to youOregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division$100 one-time filingperpetual, but an annual report is due every year2026-09-03
Annual Reportonly if it applies to youOregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division$100 a year for a domestic entity; $275 for a foreign oneannual — due on the anniversary of the original filing date2026-09-03
Seller's Permit — Oregon positiononly if it applies to youOregon Department of RevenueNo feenot applicable2026-09-03
General Business License — Oregon position (local, not state)only if it applies to youOregon Secretary of State, Corporation DivisionNo feeset by the city or county2026-09-03

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

How much does it actually cost to permit a retail store in Multnomah County?

There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 15 records listed for a retail store in Multnomah County, OR, 1 apply to every business of this type and 14 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.

7 of the 15 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 4 have no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:

Animal Facility License (Pet Shops, Boarding, Training, Breeding, Doggie Daycare): Domestic animal facility license: 1-10 animals $180; 11 or more animals $210.

Temporary Restaurant (Food Event) License: 2026 fee: single event license (1-30 days) $210; intermittent license (30 days) $210; seasonal license (90 days) $210. Late fee $100 when payment arrives less than 2 business days (by noon) before the event. Operational plan review for a seasonal or intermittent license $140. Benevolent organization administrative fee $50 per year.

Liquor License County Recommendation to OLCC (Unincorporated Multnomah County): County processing fee: original application $100; change in ownership, location or privilege $75; renewal $35. Checks payable to Multnomah County Sheriff.

The other 4 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the Multnomah County permits page and the OR state page.

Which offices issue these permits in Multnomah County?

Permits for a retail store in Multnomah County, OR come from 8 separate offices: City of Portland Revenue Division (administering Multnomah County taxes), Multnomah County Animal Services, Multnomah County Health Department, Environmental Health Services, City building permit offices serving unincorporated Multnomah County (Portland, Gresham, Troutdale), Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Law Enforcement Support Unit, Multnomah County Department of Community Services, Land Use Planning, Oregon Department of Revenue, Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.

What does a retail store need in Multnomah County that other businesses do not?

1 of the 4 permits particular to a retail store here applies to no other business type we cover in Multnomah County: Animal Facility License (Pet Shops, Boarding, Training, Breeding, Doggie Daycare).

Animal Facility License (Pet Shops, Boarding, Training, Breeding, Doggie Daycare)

Multnomah County Code 13.002 defines a facility as 'A site excluding veterinary hospitals operated or used for' boarding, training or similar purposes of dogs, cats or other animals commonly maintained as pets, or for 'breeding, buying, selling, or bartering' of such animals. Multnomah County Animal Services' About Facility Licensing page states that this includes pet shops and doggie daycares, that 'Veterinary hospitals are excluded', and that an operator of an animal facility 'must get a license annually'; an Animal Services officer inspects the facility each year. A facility license is valid for one year from the date of issuance (MCC 13.151(B)). The fees are those set by Resolution 2026-009, adopted and effective 5 February 2026: $180 for 1-10 animals and $210 for 11 or more. Animal Services describes its service area as the cities of Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, Maywood Park and all unincorporated areas of Multnomah County.

Temporary Restaurant (Food Event) License

The county's Temporary Food Event License page states that each person or organization selling or giving out food to the public at a special event 'is required by Oregon law to obtain a temporary restaurant license', and that 'Every food booth must apply for a separate license for every event where food is served', at farmers markets, festivals, concerts, fairs and flea markets among others. The page asks for a completed application at least 2 weeks before the event, requires a first-time applicant to take a 30-day license, and requires an operational plan review with intermittent and seasonal applications. The fee figures are the 2026 figures in the FY 2026 County Fee Schedule (Resolution 2025-043), the EHS 2026 Base Fee Schedule (EHS-0001) and the county page; the 2026 schedule is in effect through 31 December 2026. Resolution 2026-039, adopted 4 June 2026, sets $225 for each license type from 1 January 2027, or $325 when the application or payment comes within 2 business days of the event, and $150 for the operational review.

Shared with other businesses in Multnomah County

  • Tobacco Retail License — Multnomah County Health Department, Environmental Health Services, $1,184 per retail location per year (FY 2027 County Fee Schedule, effective 1 July 2026), one calendar year from the date of issuance (MCC 21.561(D)). Also required for restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
  • Liquor License County Recommendation to OLCC (Unincorporated Multnomah County) — Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Law Enforcement Support Unit, County processing fee: original application $100; change in ownership, location or privilege $75; renewal $35. Checks payable to Multnomah County Sheriff., per application; processing may take 8-12 weeks according to the Sheriff's 2024 OLCC application instructions. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.

The other 4 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in Multnomah County, OR; what each one involves is set out on the Multnomah County permits page. The 7 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across OR and are covered on the OR state page.

How does a retail store compare with other businesses in Multnomah County?

The closest match is a restaurant, which shares 3 of these permits. A retail store also needs Animal Facility License (Pet Shops, Boarding, Training, Breeding, Doggie Daycare). A restaurant needs Restaurant (Food Service) License, Food Service Facility License and Food Handler Card, which a retail store does not.

Permits particular to each business type in Multnomah County, OR, compared with a retail store
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a retail storeOnly a retail store needsOnly it needs
Restaurants6313
Coffee shops6224
Food trucks7225
Auto repair shops1041
Childcare centres2042
Contractors and trades1041
Fitness studios1041
Salons and barbers1041
Veterinary clinics1041

Sources

Every figure for the permits explained on this page was read from one of these government pages on the date shown. Sources for the permits shared with other businesses are listed with their explanations on the restaurants page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Multnomah County permits page and the OR state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. Multnomah County Resolution 2026-009, fees under MCC Chapter 13, Animal Control (adopted 5 February 2026)Multnomah County Board of Commissioners · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  2. Multnomah County Code Chapter 13, Animal ServicesMultnomah County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  3. Multnomah County FY 2027 Fee Schedule (adopted by Resolution 2026-039)Multnomah County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  4. Multnomah County Animal Services, About Facility LicensingMultnomah County Animal Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  5. Multnomah County Animal Services, About UsMultnomah County Animal Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  6. Multnomah County — 2026 environmental health licence fee schedule, restaurants banded by seatingMultnomah County · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
  7. Multnomah County FY 2026 Fee Schedule (Resolution 2025-043, adopted 12 June 2025)Multnomah County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  8. Multnomah County Resolution 2026-039, adopting the FY 2027 fee schedule (adopted 4 June 2026)Multnomah County Board of Commissioners · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  9. Multnomah County Code Chapter 21, HealthMultnomah County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  10. Multnomah County, Temporary Food Event License pageMultnomah County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  11. Multnomah County, 2027 Fee Changes for Health LicensesMultnomah County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09

Related

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.