Who needs a restaurant license (food service license) in Oregon?

Issued by Your county environmental health office, under the Oregon Health Authority food sanitation rules (OAR 333-150), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.

9 of the 20 kinds of business in Oregon

Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops with seating are all restaurants under ORS 624; a counter-only shop may qualify as limited service. The license expires December 31 whatever the opening date, and an expired license costs $100 to reinstate.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Your county environmental health office, under the Oregon Health Authority food sanitation rules (OAR 333-150).

Sources and dates

ORS 624.490 (license fees); OAR 333-012-0053 (county fees); Multnomah County restaurant license page; Oregon Health Authority food safety program. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.