Services and Resources

Businesses that are subject to the Portland Business License Tax, Portland Transient Lodgings Tax, Multnomah County Business Income Tax, and/or the Metro Supportive Housing Services (SHS) Business Income Tax are required to register for a Revenue Division tax account.

Apply for a short-term rental permit or conditional use or renew a short-term rental permit. Learn about accessory short-term rental Type A permits and Type B conditional uses. Get permit information for rental units, mother-in-law apartments, renting out bedrooms and basement rentals.

Learn more about what you need to apply for an adult care home permit in City of Portland. Learn about required inspection for Adult Foster Care Homes.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), through the Portland in the Streets program, issues permits to place combined publication boxes in Portland's street space. Combined publication boxes display several publications (newspapers, magazines, etc.) in one location.

Each payday lender location within the cities of Portland, Gresham, or Oregon City needs a payday lender permit. These permits must be renewed every year and are all paid through the City of Portland.

Businesses that buy and sell property that is frequently the subject of theft (“regulated property”) must apply for a secondhand dealers permit. This permit needs to be renewed annually and is nontransferable.

The City’s Social Games Permit Program regulates the operators of social games, restricting location, age, dollar amount of play, and other rules to protect the public peace, safety, and morals. A person or business that wants to operate a social game must have a permit from the Revenue Division.

Businesses, including vendors and promoters, doing business over a very limited term in Portland must apply for a temporary business license from the City of Portland's Revenue Division.

Your company may need a permit to discharge process wastewater to the City sewer. Download the Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit application here.

Apply for Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Outdoor Dining. Steps to follow before applying, fee schedule, links to design guidance and permit conditions.

Users of City property have an option to purchase Tenants User Liability Insurance Program (TULIP) through Intact Entertainment | Gather Guard. This insurance meets City requirements for liability and property damage, is cost effective, includes liquor liability as an option and covers most events.

Eligible businesses may apply for the Downtown Business Incentive credit if they enter into a new lease, renew a current lease, or own and occupy building space in a sub-district of Portland's central city and meet other annual requirements.

Discharges are prohibited from entering the City's stormwater system. For discharges into the sanitary sewer, businesses must get authorization before discharging, and businesses must certify compliance annually. Find forms and instructions to request authorization and to apply for certification.

If you sold your business, changed your tax entity, or stopped your business activity in the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and/or the Metro jurisdictions, you must notify the Revenue Division to close your tax account(s).

If you have stopped all of your transient lodgings activity (including advertising short term rentals) in the City of Portland, you must notify the Revenue Division.

Your company may need a permit or other authorization before discharging any wastewater into City sewers. To find out, first complete this environmental survey. Environmental Services will review your completed survey and notify you if your company requires a permit or authorization.

Producers of craft fermented beverages such as kombucha, beer, wine, spirits, or other breweries or distillers, are required to apply for a discharge authorization and then to file annual certification forms each year. Find and download the required forms here.

Get required forms and helpful information for running a business out of your home. Learn about applying for home-based business permits in Portland. Learn about zoning requirements around running a home business. If you're using your home for your business, find out what rules to follow.

Companies may sign up with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to provide additional resources for permit holders with the Healthy Businesses program—construction materials, design, installation, maintenance, labor, or discounts. Partnerships can be limited to support communities of color.

An Intellectual Property License Agreement is required for the commercial use of the Portland Oregon Sign. Commercial use does not include personal use, such as photos of yourself that are shared amongst friends and family.