Catering Business Permit Requirements in Portland, OR
Complete permit and license guide for starting a catering business in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.
Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Last verified: .
Portland / Multnomah County Requirements
3 requirementsMultnomah County Environmental Health Catering License
Multnomah County Environmental Health issues catering licenses for businesses that prepare food off-site and transport it to events. Caterers must operate from a licensed commissary kitchen — a home kitchen is not sufficient. Annual inspections are required, and fees are based on the risk level of food operations.
City of Portland Business License
Issued by the City of Portland Revenue Division, this license is required for all businesses operating within Portland city limits. The base fee starts around $100/year with an additional percentage of gross revenue above a threshold. Renewal is annual.
Commissary Kitchen Agreement
Portland and Multnomah County require caterers to use a licensed commissary kitchen for all food preparation, storage, and equipment cleaning. You must provide a signed commissary agreement to Multnomah County Environmental Health when applying for your catering license. Commissary rental typically costs $15–$30/hour.
Oregon State Requirements
3 requirementsOregon Department of Agriculture Food Establishment License
If your catering business sells packaged food products or operates in venues outside Multnomah County, the Oregon Department of Agriculture may require a food establishment license. Caterers operating exclusively within Multnomah County are typically covered under the county catering license.
Oregon Food Handler Cards
The Oregon Health Authority requires all food handlers employed by catering businesses to obtain a Food Handler Card within 30 days of employment. Cards are issued after passing an accredited food safety exam. Oregon has no sales tax, so catering invoices are not subject to sales tax.
Oregon Secretary of State Business Registration
All formal business entities operating in Oregon must register with the Oregon Secretary of State. An LLC is strongly recommended for catering businesses due to liability exposure at events.
Federal Requirements
1 requirementEIN (Employer Identification Number)
Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.
Official Sources
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