Who needs a zoning approval and certificate of occupancy in Oregon?

Issued by Your city or county planning and building departments (Oregon Building Codes Division), at step 3 of 6 in the opening sequence: approve the space.

Every kind of business in Oregon

The Oregon table lists this for every kind of business.

Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of occupancy needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the county health license and the OLCC license, which both ask the local government to sign off on the premises.

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

Step 3 of 6: Approve the space

  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 city or county planning and building departments (Oregon Building Codes Division).

Sources and dates

Building Codes Division pages; city and county development codes. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.