Food Truck permits in Portland, Oregon

The city and county permits, taxes, and inspections a food truck needs in Portland (Multnomah County), on top of the statewide Oregon and federal credentials covered on their own pages.

Local fees$1,585 to $1,745 in first-year county and city feesCountyMultnomah County

This page covers only the Portland city and county permits for food trucks. The statewide Oregon credentials and the federal credentials every food truck needs are on their own pages.

All Oregon requirementsFood Trucks in Oregon Federal requirementsEvery food truck nationwide

What you need to run a food truck in Portland

Credential	Level	Fee	Renewal
Multnomah County Food Cart (Mobile Food Unit) License	County	$760 per year (Classes 1 to 3) or $920 per year (Class 4)	Annual (calendar year, renew by Jan 1). Fees paid late in the year are prorated.
Multnomah County Food Cart Plan Review	County	$790 standard or $2,380 rush	One-time, for a new cart, major remodel, or change of ownership
Multnomah County Commissary License (and Warehouse if used)	County	$720 per year (commissary), $630 per year (warehouse, if you store off-site)	Annual
Multnomah County Business Income Tax	County	2.0% of business net income. Exempt if gross receipts are under $100,000, but you must still file. No separate flat fee.	Annual return, filed together with the City return on one registration
City of Portland Business License Tax (Revenue Division registration)	City	2.6% of business net income. Exempt if gross receipts are under $50,000, but you must still register and file. No separate flat fee.	Register once within 60 days of starting, then file a return every year
Portable Propane Device Permit	City	$35 per year	Annual (expires December 31)
Sidewalk Vending Cart Permit (public right-of-way)	City	$150 per year plus a $150 application fee plus a $54 insurance processing fee	Annual (calendar year, expires December 31)

A typical food truck in Portland, Oregon needs 13 separate credentials to operate legally, and that is for one location. Federal, statewide, and local Portland requirements all stack on the same food truck, each with its own renewal date, fee, and issuing agency.

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Each food truck credential in Portland, explained

Grouped by the level of government that issues it, county then city. Every credential here is specific to operating a food truck in Portland, Oregon.

County level

4 credentials

Multnomah County Food Cart (Mobile Food Unit) License

The Oregon MFU license as administered by Multnomah County. This is the same statewide credential, priced locally, not a second health license. Fees increased Jan 1, 2026, the first increase in 5 years.

Issued by: Multnomah County Environmental Health
Fee: $760 per year (Classes 1 to 3) or $920 per year (Class 4)
Renewal: Annual (calendar year, renew by Jan 1). Fees paid late in the year are prorated.
Processing: Up to about 15 business days to review the packet after final payment, then construction and a pre-opening inspection

Multnomah County Food Cart Plan Review

Mandatory equipment and design review before construction or operation. You must get the approval letter before you build. Separate from, and required before, the license.

Issued by: Multnomah County Environmental Health
Fee: $790 standard or $2,380 rush
Renewal: One-time, for a new cart, major remodel, or change of ownership
Processing: Up to 15 business days after final payment

Multnomah County Commissary License (and Warehouse if used)

A commissary (commercial kitchen base) is required for most carts unless the unit has an onboard 3-compartment sink. Food or equipment not kept in the cart or commissary must go in a licensed warehouse, not your home.

Issued by: Multnomah County Environmental Health
Fee: $720 per year (commissary), $630 per year (warehouse, if you store off-site)
Renewal: Annual
Processing: Processed with your license application

Multnomah County Business Income Tax

County income tax that piggybacks on the same Revenue Division registration as the Portland tax. One registration covers both. You owe each based on net income.

Issued by: City of Portland Revenue Division (jointly administered)
Fee: 2.0% of business net income. Exempt if gross receipts are under $100,000, but you must still file. No separate flat fee.
Renewal: Annual return, filed together with the City return on one registration
Processing: Filed with the combined business tax return

City level

3 credentials

City of Portland Business License Tax (Revenue Division registration)

Portland's business license is actually a net-income tax, not a regulatory permit. All businesses operating in the city must register with the Revenue Division and file annually, even to claim the exemption.

Issued by: City of Portland Revenue Division
Fee: 2.6% of business net income. Exempt if gross receipts are under $50,000, but you must still register and file. No separate flat fee.
Renewal: Register once within 60 days of starting, then file a return every year
Processing: Registration about 15 minutes online

Portable Propane Device Permit

Required for any portable propane bottle larger than 17 oz. Tanks over 25 gallons need a separate tank permit. Separate from the health license. The permit sticker must be displayed in the cart.

Issued by: Portland Fire & Rescue, Fire Marshal's Office
Fee: $35 per year
Renewal: Annual (expires December 31)
Processing: Submit application with payment. You must view the propane requirements video and acknowledge the rules.

Sidewalk Vending Cart Permit (public right-of-way)

Only needed if you vend from a public sidewalk or right-of-way. Carts are allowed only on sidewalks 10 feet wide or more in commercial zones, and the Fire Marshal must inspect cooking apparatus first. Not required if you operate only on private property.

Issued by: Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Business Support Services
Fee: $150 per year plus a $150 application fee plus a $54 insurance processing fee
Renewal: Annual (calendar year, expires December 31)
Processing: 6 to 8 weeks to issue

See how other food trucks in Portland are managing every permit, license, and renewal in one place with CredentiAlert.

Portland-specific things to watch for

1The business license is a net-income tax, not a flat fee. You must register within 60 days and file every year even when exempt (under $50k city or $100k county gross), or face civil penalties.

2The propane permit is separate from your health license and from PBOT. It is Portland Fire and Rescue, $35 per year, with the sticker displayed in the cart and an expiration of December 31.

3Where you park dictates which permits you need. A public sidewalk requires a PBOT permit ($150 plus $150 plus $54 insurance, 6 to 8 weeks). A city park requires a Portland Parks and Recreation Commercial Activity Permit instead. Private property requires Bureau of Development Services zoning review. The county health license alone does not let you park anywhere.

4Food cart pods carry their own oversight. A pod operator needs a separate county pod license and pod plan review, and pod carts can face a System Development Charge.

5Stacked December 31 expirations. The county license, propane permit, and PBOT permit all run on the calendar year, so multiple year-end renewals come due at once.

How long does it take?

If your cart is already built to code, plan on about 6 to 10 weeks start to operating: plan review takes up to 15 business days after final payment, then construction sign-off and a pre-opening inspection, the $35 propane permit, and Revenue Division registration. If you are building or modifying a cart, or vending on a public sidewalk (PBOT alone runs 6 to 8 weeks), budget 3 to 6 months.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start a food cart in Portland?

Plan on roughly $1,600 to $2,800 in first-year county and city fees (plan review, license, propane, often a commissary), plus state and federal filing fees and your build-out. Income taxes are usually $0 upfront if you are under the exemption thresholds.

Do I need a business license for a food truck in Portland?

You must register with the Revenue Division within 60 days and file the Business License Tax and Multnomah County Business Income Tax annually, even if your income is below the exemption and you owe nothing.

Do I need a propane permit for my food cart in Portland?

Yes, if you use propane bottles over 17 oz. It is a $35 per year Portland Fire and Rescue Portable Propane Device Permit, renewed annually.

Where can I legally park my food cart in Portland?

On private property in zones that allow retail use (with BDS approval), on qualifying commercial sidewalks with a PBOT vending permit, or in parks with a Portland Parks permit. Each path has its own permit.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-06-02. Requirements change. Always confirm with the issuing department before applying.