Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Portland, OR

Complete permit and license guide for starting a hair salon in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.

Updated 2026-03-13 8 stops $400–$1,000 est. 4–8 weeks
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Oregon

4 stops

  1. Oregon Secretary of State Business Registration

    All formal business entities operating in Oregon must register with the Oregon Secretary of State. An LLC is the most common structure for salon owners, providing personal liability protection at a filing cost of approximately $100.

    Official government source

    $100 (LLC filing fee)1–2 weeks

  2. Oregon Health Licensing Office (OHLA) Salon License

    The Oregon Health Licensing Office, under the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), issues licenses to cosmetology establishments. All salons must be licensed as a facility, separate from individual cosmetologist licenses. Application includes facility inspection.

    Official government source

    $100–$200/year2–4 weeks

  3. Individual Cosmetologist Licenses (OHLA)

    All cosmetologists, hair designers, estheticians, and nail technicians working in Oregon must hold individual licenses issued by the Oregon Health Licensing Office (OHLA). Licenses require completion of accredited training and passing state exams.

    Official government source

    $50–$100/year per individual2–6 weeks

  4. Oregon Department of Revenue Business Tax Registration

    All businesses in Oregon must register with the Oregon Department of Revenue. Oregon has no sales tax, so no sales tax permit is required for salon services.

    Official government source

    Free1 week

City of Portland / Multnomah County

3 stops

  1. 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 fee is based on a base rate plus a percentage of gross revenue. Must be renewed annually.

    Official government source

    $100+/year (based on revenue)1–2 weeks

  2. Certificate of Occupancy

    Issued by the Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS), a Certificate of Occupancy is required when opening a salon in a commercial space, doing tenant improvements, or changing the use of a building. BDS reviews plans for zoning compliance, ADA accessibility, and building code requirements.

    Official government source

    $200–$800 (depending on tenant improvement scope)3–8 weeks

  3. Multnomah County Environmental Health Salon Inspection

    Multnomah County Environmental Health conducts inspections of cosmetology facilities to ensure compliance with sanitation standards for hair salons, including proper ventilation, sanitizing procedures, and equipment standards.

    Official government source

    $75–$150 (inspection fee)2–4 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,000 · 4–8 weeks

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Official Sources

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