How much permits cost to open in Portland

In Portland, the filings with a fixed government fee add up to about $0. 6 more are set by the space or the business, and 6 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.

Updated October 17, 202612 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Create/Update Importer Identity Form

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.

Fee
Free
Filed
Paper form, mailed
Takes
Up to 5 business days.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Customs Bond

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
At least 5 business days for review.
Renews
Continuous bonds renew yearly.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every two years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Update every year.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry

U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal

The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Hazardous materials registration

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal

Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every year by June 30.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill 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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it

Guides for each business in Portland

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.

Get the plan for your business 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