How to Get a Business License in Oregon

Analic Mata-Murray
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Managing Editor · Communications & Journalism degree, PR and media specialist with 11 years of experience making complex information clear

Oregon business licensing guide

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Oregon does not issue one statewide general “business license” for every business. The Oregon Secretary of State says your state business registration serves that purpose, but many businesses still need state agency licenses, city or county licenses, zoning approval, health permits, employer accounts, or tax registrations.

The right answer depends on your business structure, business name, location, employees, and activity. Start with the Oregon Business Registry, then check Oregon’s License Directory and your city or county before you open.

The short answer

Most Oregon business owners should not look for a single Oregon “seller’s permit” or statewide general business license. Instead, check these layers:

  • Register an LLC, corporation, or other entity with the Oregon Secretary of State if you choose that structure.
  • Register an assumed business name, often called a DBA, if you operate under a name that is not your real and true name or your entity’s registered name.
  • Use Oregon’s License Directory to find state licenses, permits, or certifications for your business activity.
  • Check city and county rules for local business licenses, business taxes, zoning, home occupation rules, building permits, signs, health permits, and fire review.
  • Register for Oregon payroll tax accounts before paying employees, if you hire workers.
  • Confirm federal requirements if your activity is federally regulated, such as alcohol production, aviation, firearms, transportation, or import/export activity.

Oregon licensing snapshot

QuestionOregon answerWhere to check
Does Oregon have a statewide general business license?No. The Oregon Secretary of State says the state does not have a general business license. State business registration may serve that role, but activity-specific licenses may still apply.Oregon Secretary of State: State License Requirements
State registration officeOregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division, through the Oregon Business Registry.Register a Business
Current LLC and assumed-name feesThe current Secretary of State fee schedule lists $100 for domestic LLC Articles of Organization, $100 for the annual LLC renewal, and $50 for a new assumed business name. Assumed business names renew every two years for $50.Oregon Business Registry fee schedule
Latest state registry snapshotThe Secretary of State’s June 2026 report listed 560,880 active business filings and 8,054 new business filings during June. These are registry filing counts, not a count of local licenses or currently operating storefronts.June 2026 Oregon Business Report
Oregon DBA termOregon uses “assumed business name,” often shortened to ABN. Many people call this a DBA.Assumed Business Name Registration
Oregon sales tax permitOregon does not have a general sales or use/transaction tax, so many in-state sellers do not get a traditional Oregon seller’s permit. Online or out-of-state sales may trigger other states’ sales tax rules.Oregon Department of Revenue: Sales Tax in Oregon
State license search toolThe Oregon Business Xpress License Directory is a searchable directory of more than 1,100 Oregon licenses, permits, and certifications, with some local requirements also included.Oregon License Directory
Employer account numberOregon employers use a Business Identification Number, or BIN, for payroll tax filing and payment.Starting payroll taxes in Oregon

Quick start: what to check first

Use this order before you spend money on a lease, equipment, signs, ads, or inventory.

  1. Write down your exact business activity. “Consulting,” “food cart,” “contractor,” “online seller,” “cleaning service,” and “short-term rental” can lead to different agencies.
  2. Pick your legal structure. A sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership, nonprofit, and professional entity are not filed the same way.
  3. Check whether your name needs Oregon registration. LLCs and corporations register their legal names. Sole proprietors and partnerships may need an assumed business name if they use a name that is not the owner’s real and true name.
  4. Search the Oregon License Directory. Search by business type and related words, not just “business license.” Try terms like “restaurant,” “mobile unit,” “contractor,” “landscape,” “child care,” “liquor,” “cannabis,” “tobacco,” or “transportation.”
  5. Check your city and county. Oregon cities and counties may require local licenses, business tax accounts, zoning clearance, home occupation permits, health permits, building permits, sign permits, or fire review.
  6. Set up tax and employer accounts if needed. Oregon does not have a general sales tax, but you may need Oregon Department of Revenue accounts for payroll, corporate activity tax, excise taxes, withholding, or other tax programs.
  7. Save proof. Keep copies of confirmations, application numbers, renewal dates, licenses, permits, tax account numbers, and agency emails.

Do this before signing a lease

A state registration does not prove that your location is approved. A city or county may still need to approve zoning, occupancy, signs, remodeling, food service, fire safety, parking, or home-based business use.

Important Oregon business updates for 2026

If you are using an older Oregon startup checklist, these current details are worth knowing before you file, hire, or pay.

  • Oregon still does not issue one statewide general business license. The Secretary of State says business registration serves that purpose at the state level, while many activities still need separate licenses, permits, certifications, or local approval. Check Oregon license requirements.
  • A domestic Oregon LLC currently costs $100 to form and $100 to renew each year. The Secretary of State fee schedule also lists $50 for a new assumed business name and $50 for its two-year renewal. See the current Business Registry fee schedule.
  • Oregon still has no general sales or use tax. Ordinary Oregon retail sales do not use a traditional Oregon seller’s permit, although other Oregon taxes and other states’ sales-tax rules can still apply. See Oregon’s current sales-tax guidance.
  • The Corporate Activity Tax has separate registration, filing, and payment thresholds. A business generally registers when Oregon commercial activity reaches $750,000, files when it exceeds $1 million, and pays CAT only when taxable Oregon commercial activity is more than $1 million. Check current CAT rules.
  • Employer numbers changed for 2026. The unemployment-insurance taxable wage base is $56,700 per employee, and Oregon’s minimum wage since July 1, 2026 is $15.55 standard, $16.80 in the Portland metro area, and $14.55 in nonurban counties. See 2026 employer tax rates and current minimum wages.
  • U.S.-created companies no longer file federal BOI reports. FinCEN’s August 2026 final rule made the exemption permanent. Certain foreign companies registered to do business in the United States may still have reporting duties. Check FinCEN’s current BOI guidance.

Federal, state, county, and city layers

Business licensing is layered in Oregon. One filing rarely covers everything.

Government layerWhat it may handleOregon examples
FederalFederal tax ID numbers and federally regulated industries.EIN from the IRS; federal permits for some alcohol, aviation, firearms, trucking, import/export, broadcasting, or investment activities. FinCEN’s August 2026 final rule exempts U.S.-created companies from BOI reporting, while certain foreign companies registered to do business in the United States may still have reporting duties.
State of OregonEntity registration, assumed business names, tax accounts, employer accounts, and state-regulated industries.Oregon Business Registry, Oregon Business Xpress License Directory, Department of Revenue payroll accounts, Construction Contractors Board, Landscape Contractors Board, OLCC, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Agriculture.
CountyHealth permits, land use, rural zoning, building services, environmental health, and some local business rules.Restaurant and mobile food unit applications are often submitted to the Local Public Health Authority. County planning offices may handle rural home occupations.
CityLocal business licenses, business taxes, zoning clearance, home occupation approval, signs, building permits, fire review, sidewalk use, mobile vending, and local specialty permits.Portland Revenue Division business tax accounts, Eugene limited business license categories, Salem business licenses for certain activities, Bend business registration and licensing.
Private platformsMarketplace, payment processor, landlord, insurer, or app rules.Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, delivery apps, landlord lease rules, HOA rules, and insurance underwriting may ask for proof of registration or permits, but they are not government licenses.

State registration and business names in Oregon

Oregon Business Registry

The Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division handles many business registrations through the Oregon Business Registry. Use it to register a new business, renew or reinstate an existing registration, get a certificate of existence, or update business information.

Oregon’s business registration step is not the same as every license or permit you may need. The Secretary of State says the business registry does not verify whether a business holds all mandatory licenses. You still need to check the agency, board, city, or county that regulates your activity.

LLCs, corporations, and other entities

If you form an Oregon LLC or corporation, you file formation documents with the Oregon Secretary of State. If your entity was formed in another state but is doing business in Oregon, you may need authority to transact business in Oregon.

The Secretary of State describes several signs of doing business in Oregon, such as having an office, a regular place of business, employees or representatives providing services, an economic presence used to produce income, or a stock of goods in Oregon. Out-of-state businesses should read the official registration guidance before assuming they do not need to register.

Current filing fees and renewal timing

The Secretary of State’s current fee schedule lists $100 for domestic LLC Articles of Organization and $100 for the annual LLC renewal. Oregon says most registered entity types renew every year on the anniversary date of the original filing. Other entity types can have different fees, especially foreign entities and nonprofits, so check the fee schedule for your structure.

An Oregon assumed business name currently costs $50 to register and $50 to renew every two years. The Secretary of State sends renewal notices before the due date, but the business owner is still responsible for keeping the registration current.

Assumed business names, also called DBAs

Oregon calls a DBA an assumed business name. The Secretary of State says an assumed business name registration is required any time you conduct business under a name that does not include your real and true name.

For a sole proprietor, a name that includes the owner’s real and true name may not need an assumed business name. For example, the state gives examples using a person’s surname plus given name or initials. For an LLC or corporation, the registered entity name is the real and true name. If the LLC or corporation uses a different public-facing name, it may need an assumed business name.

Assumed business name registrations are public record. The Secretary of State warns that business registrations can be searched by individual name and business name, so owners concerned about privacy should read the state’s privacy information before using a home address.

The current Secretary of State fee schedule lists a $50 new-registration fee for an assumed business name. Oregon says an assumed business name renews every two years; the current renewal fee is also $50.

Oregon name tip

Do not treat name availability as approval to operate. A name filing can protect the name record in Oregon, but it does not replace zoning, tax, health, contractor, alcohol, professional, or city licensing rules.

Oregon tax accounts and sales tax

Oregon does not have a general sales tax

The Oregon Department of Revenue says Oregon does not have a general sales or use/transaction tax. This is a major difference from many states. A typical Oregon retailer usually does not apply for an Oregon sales tax permit just to sell goods inside Oregon.

There are still exceptions and other taxes. Oregon mentions vehicle use tax for some new vehicles purchased outside the state. Oregon businesses that sell online to customers in states with sales tax may need to follow those other states’ economic nexus rules.

Resale certificate language in Oregon

Oregon uses the Oregon Business Registry Resale Certificate for Oregon buyers who buy goods outside Oregon and then resell them in Oregon. The Department of Revenue says not to file this form with the department. Give it to the out-of-state seller, and remember that another state may require its own form or extra information.

Corporate Activity Tax

Oregon’s Corporate Activity Tax, often called CAT, is not a retail sales tax and is not an income tax. The Department of Revenue says it is imposed on businesses for the privilege of doing business in Oregon and is measured by Oregon commercial activity.

Current CAT guidance uses separate thresholds. A business or unitary group with $750,000 or less in Oregon commercial activity is generally excluded from CAT requirements. Once Oregon commercial activity reaches $750,000, the business generally must register within 30 days. A return is required when Oregon commercial activity is more than $1 million, and a payment obligation applies when taxable Oregon commercial activity is more than $1 million.

For businesses that owe CAT, the Department of Revenue says the tax is $250 plus 0.57% of taxable Oregon commercial activity over $1 million. CAT calculations have exclusions and a 35% subtraction for certain business expenses, so use the official CAT guidance rather than estimating from gross revenue alone.

Other Oregon tax programs

Depending on your business, you may also need Oregon tax accounts for withholding, payroll, corporation excise or income tax, transit taxes, tobacco, marijuana, vehicle-related taxes, bicycle excise tax, lodging, or other programs. Use the Oregon Department of Revenue business registration page and your tax professional when the answer depends on your structure and revenue.

If you hire employees in Oregon

Do not wait until the first payday to set up employer accounts. The Oregon Department of Revenue says employers should get a Business Identification Number, or BIN, before paying employees. The BIN is the primary number for filing and paying Oregon payroll taxes.

Oregon employer setup may include:

  • Federal EIN from the IRS.
  • Oregon BIN through Revenue Online.
  • Unemployment Insurance and Paid Leave Oregon reporting through Frances Online.
  • Oregon withholding and payroll tax payments.
  • Statewide Transit Tax and possible local transit taxes.
  • Workers’ compensation coverage if you have subject workers.
  • Oregon OSHA workplace safety obligations.
  • BOLI wage, hour, child labor, leave, and workplace rights rules.

2026 employer numbers to know

  • Unemployment Insurance: Oregon’s 2026 taxable wage base is $56,700 per employee. The 2026 UI tax schedule ranges from 0.9% to 5.4%, with a 2.4% base rate for new employers.
  • Paid Leave Oregon: The 2026 total contribution rate is 1% of subject wages up to $184,500 per employee. Employees pay 60% of the total rate. Employers with 25 or more employees on average generally pay the remaining 40%; smaller employers generally do not owe the employer share unless special rules apply.
  • Minimum wage: From July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, the minimum wage is $15.55 in the standard counties, $16.80 in the Portland metro area, and $14.55 in nonurban counties.
  • Statewide Transit Tax: The Statewide Transit Tax withholding rate remains 0.1% in 2026. A planned increase was delayed pending a November 2026 vote.

Remote employee warning

The Oregon Secretary of State says an out-of-state business that only hires an Oregon resident remote worker may still need a BIN for Oregon payroll tax withholding and unemployment, even if the business registration decision depends on other Oregon activity.

State industry licenses to check

Many Oregon businesses need an activity-specific license, permit, or certification. Start with the Oregon License Directory, then confirm with the agency that issues the license.

Business typeOregon agency or office to checkWhy it matters
Construction contractors, many repair trades, and some home improvement workOregon Construction Contractors BoardContractor licensing can apply before advertising, bidding, or performing regulated construction work.
Landscape constructionOregon Landscape Contractors BoardThe LCB licenses landscape contracting businesses and landscape construction professionals.
Restaurants, mobile food units, and many food service operationsOregon Health Authority Food Safety and the Local Public Health AuthorityOHA says restaurant and mobile unit applications are submitted to the Local Public Health Authority, and plan review may be needed before construction or remodeling.
Alcohol sales, service, manufacturing, events, and deliveryOregon Liquor and Cannabis CommissionOLCC handles liquor licenses, alcohol service permits, event licensing, manufacturing, wholesaling, shipping, delivery, and related compliance.
Cannabis and some hemp-related activityOregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission and other applicable Oregon agenciesCannabis rules are highly regulated and may also depend on local land use and local opt-in or opt-out rules.
Health, cosmetology, body art, massage, and other personal servicesOregon Health Licensing Office or the relevant boardProfessional licensing may apply to both the individual and the facility, depending on the service.
Child careOregon Department of Early Learning and CareChild care rules can include licensing, background checks, inspections, training, and local zoning limits.
Agriculture, food processing, scales, nursery, or weights and measuresOregon Department of AgricultureOregon Department of Agriculture programs may apply to some food, farm, nursery, animal, pesticide, and measurement-related businesses.

This table is not complete. It is a starting point. Search the state directory and contact the agency if your business touches public health, safety, construction, transportation, finance, children, food, alcohol, cannabis, lodging, animals, environmental rules, or professional services.

Home-based businesses in Oregon

A home-based business may still need registration, a local license, a home occupation permit, zoning approval, a health permit, or industry licensing. The state business registration step does not approve your home for business use.

Oregon’s License Directory includes home-based business entries, and local governments may set their own rules. Portland, for example, has a home occupation permit process through its planning and development office. County rules may also matter, especially outside city limits or in farm, forest, or mixed-use zones.

Home-based does not always mean low-risk

Ask your city or county about customer visits, deliveries, signs, employees, noise, parking, storage, food handling, hazardous materials, and whether your lease or HOA limits business use.

City and county rules can be the deciding step

Oregon’s Secretary of State says cities and counties may require licenses for businesses operating in their jurisdictions. If your business is inside city limits, check the city. If it is outside city limits, check the county. If your activity crosses locations, check each place where you operate.

Local requirements may be called different things, including:

  • business license
  • business registration
  • business tax account
  • business license tax
  • home occupation permit
  • zoning clearance
  • certificate of occupancy
  • building permit
  • fire inspection
  • sign permit
  • sidewalk cafe or right-of-way permit
  • mobile vending permit
  • short-term rental license
  • food service or environmental health permit

Use the address test

Before applying, write down the exact address or service area. Local rules often depend on whether the location is inside city limits, in a special district, in a county area, or inside a metro tax boundary.

Official Oregon agency directory

Use these official pages to verify current rules, forms, fees, and renewal requirements.

NeedOfficial sourceWhat to verify
State business registration, LLCs, corporations, assumed business namesOregon Secretary of State, Corporation DivisionBusiness name, entity structure, registered agent, public address, renewals, forms, and filing status.
State license searchOregon Business Xpress License DirectoryWhether your activity needs a license, permit, certification, renewal, or agency review.
Business taxes and payroll accountsOregon Department of Revenue: BusinessesPayroll tax, BIN, CAT, corporation taxes, withholding, excise taxes, and Revenue Online access.
Unemployment Insurance and Paid Leave Oregon reportingFrances Online for EmployersEmployer reporting, unemployment insurance, Paid Leave Oregon contributions, and payroll reports.
Workers’ compensationOregon Workers’ Compensation DivisionWhether you need coverage, how to get coverage, proof of coverage, and exemptions.
Workplace safetyOregon OSHA Employer EssentialsSafety requirements, workplace posters, training, inspections, and small business safety resources.
Employment law and labor rulesOregon Bureau of Labor and Industries employer resourcesWage and hour rules, child labor, leave, discrimination, labor contractor licensing, and employer help.
Construction contractor licensingOregon Construction Contractors BoardContractor license type, bond, insurance, education, renewal, and advertising rules.
Food serviceOregon Health Authority Food SafetyRestaurant, mobile food unit, plan review, local public health authority, food handler, and food manager rules.
Alcohol and cannabisOregon Liquor and Cannabis CommissionLiquor licenses, alcohol service permits, event licenses, cannabis licensing, compliance, and local approval steps.
Building permits and local building departmentsOregon Building Codes Division local building department directoryWhich building department handles permits, inspections, plan review, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, or occupancy issues.
Federal EINIRS EIN pageWhether you need an EIN for employees, entity structure, banking, federal taxes, or other business use.

Common mistakes to avoid in Oregon

  • Looking for a seller’s permit when you mean state registration. Oregon does not have a general sales tax, so the tax setup is different from many states.
  • Assuming a Secretary of State registration is a full license. Oregon’s business registry does not prove that you hold all required professional, local, health, contractor, or industry licenses.
  • Skipping city or county checks. Oregon cities and counties can require local licensing, business taxes, zoning clearance, permits, or inspections.
  • Using a DBA without checking Oregon’s assumed business name rules. Oregon uses “assumed business name” and the filing can be required when the business name is not the owner’s real and true name or the entity’s registered name.
  • Using a home address without reading public record rules. Oregon business registrations may become public record. Review privacy alternatives before filing if this matters to you.
  • Hiring before employer accounts are ready. Oregon employers need payroll setup, and the Department of Revenue says a BIN must be obtained before paying employees.
  • Relying on marketplace rules instead of government rules. Etsy, Amazon, Shopify, delivery apps, payment processors, landlords, and insurers may ask for documents, but they do not replace Oregon state or local rules.
  • Copying another city’s requirements. Portland, Eugene, Salem, and Bend do not use the same local licensing system.

What to ask when you contact the agency

Before calling or emailing, have your business facts ready. Include your business type, exact city and county, address or service area, whether it is home-based, mobile, online, storefront, or temporary, and whether you sell food, alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, regulated services, or hire workers.

Phone or email script

Hello, I am trying to confirm which Oregon business registrations, licenses, permits, tax accounts, or local approvals I need before I start operating. My business is [business type]. It will operate in [city], [county], at or near [address or general location]. It is [home-based / mobile / storefront / online / temporary]. I will provide or sell [products or services]. I may have [employees / no employees] and [customer visits / no customer visits]. Can you confirm whether your office requires a license, permit, zoning approval, tax registration, inspection, or another step? If another office handles this, can you tell me which agency or department I should contact?

If you are not sure where to start, contact the city or county first for location rules, and use the Oregon License Directory for state agency rules.

  • Write down the exact license, permit, registration, or tax account name.
  • Write down the agency or department name.
  • Ask whether the rule is state, county, city, or federal.
  • Ask whether zoning or a home occupation review is required before applying.
  • Ask whether there is a separate health, fire, building, sign, or occupancy step.
  • Ask where to find the current form, fee page, checklist, and renewal rule.
  • Write down the date, name of the person who responded, and the next step they gave you.

What to do next

  1. Open the Oregon Secretary of State starting a business page and confirm whether you need an entity registration or assumed business name.
  2. Search the Oregon License Directory by business activity.
  3. Check the Oregon Department of Revenue business page for tax accounts that may apply to your structure, employees, and revenue.
  4. Contact your city or county about local licensing, zoning, home occupation, building, food, fire, sign, and occupancy rules.
  5. If you hire workers, set up your EIN, Oregon BIN, Frances Online access, workers’ compensation coverage, and Oregon employer compliance steps before payroll begins.
  6. Save all confirmations and renewal dates in one folder.

Do this now

Search the Oregon License Directory once using your broad business type and once using your most regulated activity. For example, a cafe might search “restaurant,” “food service,” “alcohol,” “sign,” “music,” and the city name.

Official sources used

Continue your license search

Start with the closest next-step guides, then explore other BLG location and licensing resources.

FAQ

Does Oregon have a statewide general business license?

No. Oregon does not have a statewide general business license. The Oregon Secretary of State says business registration serves that purpose at the state level, but many occupations and business activities still need special licenses, permits, certifications, or local approvals.

Do I need an Oregon seller’s permit?

Usually not for in-state Oregon retail sales, because Oregon does not have a general sales or use/transaction tax. You may still need other Oregon tax accounts, and online sales to customers in states with sales tax may create obligations in those states.

What does Oregon call a DBA?

Oregon uses the term assumed business name. An assumed business name registration may be required when you conduct business under a name that is not your real and true name or your entity’s registered name.

Does registering an LLC in Oregon cover local licenses?

No. An Oregon LLC registration creates or registers the legal entity, but it does not replace city, county, zoning, health, fire, building, contractor, alcohol, cannabis, professional, or other required approvals. The current Secretary of State fee schedule lists $100 to form a domestic LLC and $100 for its annual renewal.

Where do I search for Oregon industry licenses?

Use the Oregon Business Xpress License Directory. Search by business activity and then confirm the current requirements with the agency or board listed in the result.

Can I run a business from home in Oregon?

Maybe. A home-based business may still need state registration, an assumed business name, a local business license, a home occupation permit, zoning approval, health permits, or industry licensing. Check your city or county before operating.

What do I need before hiring employees in Oregon?

Most employers need a federal EIN, an Oregon Business Identification Number, payroll tax setup, Frances Online access for unemployment and Paid Leave Oregon reporting, workers’ compensation coverage if required, and compliance with Oregon labor and workplace safety rules.

Update note

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Next review: November 17, 2026

This page was reviewed against current Oregon and federal sources for business registration, assumed business names, Oregon tax accounts, 2026 employer rates, state licensing, local licensing, and the August 2026 federal BOI rule. Fees, tax rules, local requirements, forms, and agency procedures can change, so use the official links in this guide before you file, pay, hire, sign a lease, or open.

Plain-English disclaimer

This guide is for general information only. It is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, employment, safety, immigration, or professional advice. Business rules can change, and your requirements may depend on your location, structure, activity, revenue, employees, and property use. Confirm important details with the official agency or a qualified professional before you act.


Analic Mata-Murray, Managing Editor at businesslicenseguide.com
About the author
Analic Mata-Murray
Managing Editor, businesslicenseguide.com
🎓 BA Communications & Journalism 📋 11+ years in benefits navigation 🌎 Bilingual English / Spanish 🤝 Salvation Army volunteer translator

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus in Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. For over 11 years, she volunteered as a translator for The Salvation Army — sitting across the table from Spanish-speaking families trying to access government programs, emergency housing, and poverty relief when they needed it most.

What she learned in that work shapes everything on this site: most people who don't get help don't miss out because they don't qualify. They miss out because nobody bothered to explain the system in plain English.

As Managing Editor of Business License Guide, Analic oversees every guide published here. Her job is simple — If a guide is vague, jargon-heavy, or out of date, it doesn't go live.