Photography 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 Secretary of State Business Registration

   All formal business entities (LLC, corporation) operating in Oregon must register with the Oregon Secretary of State. Oregon does not require a state license for photographers, but LLC registration is recommended for liability protection.

   Official government source

   $100 (LLC filing fee)·1–2 weeks

   $100 (LLC filing fee)

   1–2 weeks

2. 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

2. PBOT Temporary Street Use Permit (TSUP)

   Commercial photo shoots that reserve parking, block sidewalks, or close travel lanes or streets in Portland need a Temporary Street Use Permit from the Portland Bureau of Transportation's TSUP office. Shoots that don't obstruct the right-of-way don't need a street permit.

   Official government source

   Fees vary by the type and duration of street use - verify with the PBOT TSUP office·1–2 weeks

   Fees vary by the type and duration of street use - verify with the PBOT TSUP office

   1–2 weeks

3. Portland Parks & Recreation - Photo Pass / Film & Photography Permit

   Photographing paying clients (weddings, portraits) in Portland parks requires a Portland Parks & Recreation Photo Pass - an annual permit covering application and usage fees. Larger commercial film/video/photo productions instead need a Film, Video & Photography Permit with an application/processing fee plus hourly park usage fees.

   Official government source

   Photo Pass: $85.50/year ($120.75 for non-Portland businesses). Commercial productions: $133.50 application fee ($266.75 rush) plus usage fees (still photography $53.75/hour, film/video $95.75/hour, 2-hour minimums) - 2026 rates·1–2 weeks

   Photo Pass: $85.50/year ($120.75 for non-Portland businesses). Commercial productions: $133.50 application fee ($266.75 rush) plus usage fees (still photography $53.75/hour, film/video $95.75/hour, 2-hour minimums) - 2026 rates

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Portland Revenue Division — Business License
• Portland Parks & Recreation — Film and Photography Permits
• Portland Bureau of Transportation — Street Activities Permits
• Oregon Secretary of State — Business Registration

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