Landscaping Business Permit Requirements in Portland, OR

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) License

   Businesses performing landscape construction for compensation — planting, irrigation installation, retaining walls, grading tied to landscaping, water features, and similar work — must be licensed by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB). The business needs a landscape contracting business license backed by a licensed landscape construction professional (LCP, exam required), a surety bond ($20,000 standard as of Jan 1, 2026), and liability insurance ($500,000 minimum). Maintenance-only work such as mowing and lawn care does not require the license. Tree work may fall under LCB or CCB.

   Official government source

   LCP exam and license fees plus business license fee (verify current amounts with LCB) + $20,000 bond + $500,000 liability insurance·3–6 weeks

   LCP exam and license fees plus business license fee (verify current amounts with LCB) + $20,000 bond + $500,000 liability insurance

   3–6 weeks

2. Oregon Secretary of State Business Registration

   All formal business entities operating in Oregon must register with the Oregon Secretary of State. An LLC is common for landscaping businesses due to liability exposure. Filing costs approximately $100 for an LLC.

   Official government source

   $100 (LLC filing fee)·1–2 weeks

   $100 (LLC filing fee)

   1–2 weeks

3. Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License

   If your landscaping business applies herbicides, pesticides, or most weed-control products for compensation, the Oregon Department of Agriculture requires both a Commercial Pesticide Operator license for the business and a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license for each person applying. Applicators must pass ODA-required written exams (laws/safety plus each work category). Licenses renew annually.

   Official government source

   $90/year business (operator) license + $50/year per applicator (base fees; more with additional categories; exam fees separate)·2–4 weeks

   $90/year business (operator) license + $50/year per applicator (base fees; more with additional categories; exam fees separate)

   2–4 weeks

4. Oregon Department of Revenue Business Tax Registration

   Oregon has no general sales tax and no general Department of Revenue business registration — most businesses simply file Oregon income/excise tax returns. Register with DOR only for specific tax programs: payroll withholding (Business Identification Number) if you hire employees; the Corporate Activity Tax, which requires registration within 30 days once Oregon commercial activity exceeds $750,000 in a year (tax applies above $1 million); and, for self-employed individuals working in the Portland-area TriMet district (or Eugene-area Lane Transit District), the transit self-employment tax filed with DOR.

   Official government source

   Free (registration only; taxes vary)·1 week

   Free (registration only; taxes vary)

   1 week

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

   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

Official Sources

• Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB)
• Oregon Department of Agriculture — Pesticides
• City of Portland Revenue Division — Business License
• Oregon Secretary of State — Business Registration

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