Handyman Business Permit Requirements in Portland, OR

Complete permit and license guide for starting a handyman business in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.

Verified 2026-08-28 3 stops $500–$1,200 est. 3–6 weeks
Get my personalized route — $14.99

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

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 application)

State of Oregon

1 stop

  1. Oregon CCB License (Required for ALL paid construction work)

    Oregon requires a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license for ALL paid construction, alteration, repair, or improvement work — regardless of project size. There is no dollar-amount exemption in Oregon (unlike many other states). The most common license type for handymen is the Residential Limited Contractor (RLC). The CCB application fee as of July 1, 2025 is $400 for a 2-year license. You must also carry a surety bond and general liability insurance. Failure to have a CCB license is a Class A misdemeanor.

    Official government source

    $400 (2-year license fee) + surety bond + liability insurance3–6 weeks

City of Portland / Multnomah County

1 stop

  1. City of Portland Business License Tax Registration (Revenue Division)

    Portland has no flat-fee general business license. All businesses operating in Portland - including sole proprietors and home-based businesses - must register for the City of Portland Business License Tax with the Revenue Division within 60 days of starting business. Registration is free. The tax is 2.6% of net business income with a $100 minimum, filed annually on a combined return with the Multnomah County Business Income Tax (2% of net income; gross receipts under $100,000 are exempt from the county tax). Businesses with gross receipts under $75,000 (tax years beginning in 2026; rising to $100,000 in 2027) are exempt from the city tax but must still register. The Metro Supportive Housing Services 1% business income tax applies only to businesses with gross receipts over $5 million.

    Official government source

    Free to register; no annual license fee. Tax: 2.6% of net income ($100 minimum) only if gross receipts exceed $75,000 (2026 threshold; $100,000 from 2027)1–2 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $500–$1,200 · 3–6 weeks

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides