Food Truck Permit Requirements in Portland, OR
Complete permit and license guide for starting a food truck 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
4 requirementsMultnomah County Environmental Health Mobile Food Unit License
Issued by Multnomah County Environmental Health, this license authorizes operation of a mobile food unit within Multnomah County. The fee is risk-based — higher-risk operations (cooking raw proteins) pay more than lower-risk operations. Annual renewal required with inspection.
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 plus a percentage of gross revenue above a threshold. Renewal is annual.
Commissary Agreement
Portland requires mobile food units to operate out of a licensed commissary kitchen for food prep, storage, and cleaning. You must provide a signed commissary agreement to Multnomah County Environmental Health as part of your mobile unit license application.
Cart Pod Application or Private Property Permission
To operate at a fixed location in Portland, you either apply for a designated city cart pod spot through the Portland Bureau of Transportation or secure written permission from private property owners. Cart pod applications go through a competitive selection process.
Oregon State Requirements
4 requirementsOregon Secretary of State Business Registration
All formal business entities (LLC, corporation, etc.) operating in Oregon must register with the Oregon Secretary of State. Sole proprietors using only their legal name are exempt, but an LLC is strongly recommended for liability protection.
Oregon Department of Revenue Business Tax Registration
All businesses operating in Oregon must register with the Oregon Department of Revenue. Oregon has no sales tax, so no sales tax permit is needed — but businesses may be subject to Oregon's Corporate Activity Tax (CAT) if gross receipts exceed $1 million.
Oregon Department of Agriculture Food Establishment License
If your food truck sells packaged goods (e.g., bottled sauces, pre-packaged items), the Oregon Department of Agriculture requires a food establishment license. Mobile food units selling only prepared-to-order food are typically covered by the county health permit.
Oregon Food Handler Cards
The Oregon Health Authority requires all food handlers to obtain a Food Handler Card within 30 days of employment. Cards are obtained by passing an accredited food safety exam. Note: Oregon has no sales tax, which is a significant cost advantage for food truck operators.
Federal Requirements
1 requirementEIN (Employer Identification Number)
Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.