Permits
Coffee and cart permits in Multnomah County, OR
Multnomah County is a major Oregon market for a new coffee business. Around 421 coffee and snack bars already operate here, alongside roughly 1,922 restaurants, so expect strong demand and real competition. Below is who issues permits in Multnomah County and the steps to open a coffee shop, cart, or trailer.
Local market in Multnomah County, OR
A broad read on the county around your shop, so you can size up demand before you commit.
These are county figures, so read them as a broad signal. Data from DataUSA (U.S. Census ACS and County Health Rankings).
Permit office
Multnomah County Environmental Health Services (Food Carts)Source, last verified 2026-07-06
Statewide rules in Oregon
In Oregon, county health departments issue food and mobile vending permits under the Oregon Health Authority, and Oregon has no state sales tax.
- Food & vending permits
- Oregon Health Authority, mobile unit permitsFind your local public health authority
- Sales tax permit
- State sales tax, Oregon has no state sales tax.
- Sales tax rate
- No statewide sales taxPortland has no general sales taxOregon has no statewide general sales tax and generally no local general sales tax; it does impose other taxes such as vehicle privilege/use and lodging taxes.
- Food safety cards
- Oregon Food Handler Card required for food workers.
Typical license fees
Multnomah County Environmental Health issues annual food establishment licenses with fees that are higher than the Oregon statutory ORS 624.490 amounts. The county adds a local health inspection program fee on top of the ORS-mandated portion, and the total shown here is what businesses pay.
- Brick and mortar cafe with seats
- About $730 to $970 a year based on seating
- Counter or kiosk with no seats
- $670 a year for a limited service operation
- Mobile cart, trailer, or truck
- About $570 a year
- Catering
- About $350 a year for a commissary license
- Pop-up or farmers market vendor
- $50 for a one-day event or $75 for a multi-day event
Multnomah County annual permit fees include both the ORS 624.490 state-mandated portion and a local health inspection program fee. Restaurants with 0 to 15 seats pay $730 a year; 16 to 50 seats pay $865; 51 to 150 seats pay $970; and over 150 seats pay $1,160. Limited service operations such as coffee kiosks pay $670. Mobile food unit Classes I through III pay $570; Class IV units pay $690. The ORS 624.490 base amounts are lower ($530 to $770 for restaurants, $255 for mobile units). The commissary rate shown at $350 reflects the ORS-mandated amount and has not been separately confirmed at a higher county rate.
Fee schedule, last verified July 14, 2026.
Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.
What you need to open
A common order to work through. Filter the cards below by your setup to see just the lines that apply.
- 1Food safetyFood handler and manager cards
- 2Business licenseRegister your business locally
- 3CityLocal permits and zoning
- 4StateSeller's permit and sales tax
Every setup
Food handler and manager cards
You and your staff carry food handler cards, and at least one manager usually holds a food safety manager certificate.
Business license and registration
Register your business, then get a city or county business license for where you operate.
Seller's permit and state tax
Register for a seller's permit and a state tax account so you can collect and send in sales tax.
Depends on your setup
County health permit
A fixed kiosk or cafe applies to the Multnomah County health department for a retail food facility permit covering the space where drinks and food are prepared.
KioskCafeMobile food facility permit
Serving from a cart, trailer, or truck means a mobile food facility permit, often with a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.
Coffee cartTrailerPop-upFood truckCateringTemporary food facility permit
Selling at farmers markets, festivals, and other events for a set number of dates usually needs a temporary food facility permit.
TrailerPop-upFood truckCateringFire and building sign off
A storefront build out needs zoning and building sign off before you open. A food truck that runs propane or a generator may also need a fire safety inspection.
KioskFood truckCafe
Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees with the department before you apply.
Common questions about Multnomah County permits
- Do I need a permit to sell coffee in Multnomah County?
- Yes. Any coffee shop, cart, or trailer serving drinks or food in Multnomah County needs a food permit, plus any state registrations that apply and a local business license. Carts, trailers, and trucks are permitted as mobile food units and usually need a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.
- Who issues food and mobile vending permits in Multnomah County?
- In Multnomah County, food and mobile vending permits are handled by Multnomah County Environmental Health Services (Food Carts). You can reach them at (503) 988-3400.
- How many coffee shops are in Multnomah County?
- About 421 coffee and snack bars operate in Multnomah County, alongside roughly 1,922 restaurants (2022 Census County Business Patterns). With about 801,477 residents, that is roughly one coffee or snack bar per 1,904 people.
- Do I need a food handler card in Multnomah County?
- Yes. Oregon Food Handler Card required for food workers.
- How much does a coffee shop or cart permit cost in Multnomah County?
- Fees vary by permit type and are set by the issuing agency. Food facility and mobile unit permits commonly run from about $100 to several hundred dollars a year and a local business license. Confirm current fees with the department before you apply.
Show all 34 ZIP codes in Multnomah County
Find yours to confirm the exact jurisdiction before you apply.
- 97019
- 97024
- 97030
- 97060
- 97080
- 97201
- 97202
- 97203
- 97204
- 97205
- 97206
- 97208
- 97209
- 97210
- 97211
- 97212
- 97213
- 97214
- 97215
- 97216
- 97217
- 97218
- 97219
- 97220
- 97221
- 97227
- 97230
- 97231
- 97232
- 97233
- 97236
- 97239
- 97258
- 97266