Determine what license(s) you need
Commercial business: Offers products, services or manufactures goods out of a commercial, industrial or office building within Gresham city limits (retail, office, restaurant, personal or professional services, manufacturing/industrial uses, etc.). An attachment will be required for the following:
Nonprofit requesting waiver of license fee: 501(c)(3) IRS proof of exemption
Selling vehicles: Certificate from the Oregon DMV.
Firearms: Letter of approval to sell from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
If your business sells alcohol or impounds vehicles, separate from the commercial license, you will also need to apply for one of the following licenses:
OLCC liquor license endorsement: Apply for your liquor license with the OLCC. They will provide you with the document for the City to endorse. Once you receive the document from the OLCC, apply for the City’s OLCC liquor license endorsement.
Private property impound license: Tow companies that will provide private property impound service in Gresham should review requirements before applying.
Food and beverage cart: A food and beverage cart is a mobile non-motorized unit that sells mostly food and/or drinks (stand-alone or leasing space in a food cart pod).
- If a cart will be on site for less than four hours, it does not need a permit but does need a business license.
- Each food cart owner is required to obtain their own business license.
- Before applying for a license, review the City's food and beverage cart requirements and apply for a permit with Urban Design and Planning. Then, apply for your business license. You will be asked to include your planning case number in your application.
Outside Gresham: For businesses located outside of Gresham, but conducting business in Gresham.
Home-based business: Operated in a residential home or apartment. You will need to determine which type of license is applicable to your operation (Type I or II).
- Before applying, visit the home-based business page for more information.
- If the business is a state-approved daycare or adult care home, you can apply for a business license directly without reviewing the home-based business page (these are not Type I or II businesses).
- Firearms: If your business is selling firearms, you will need to have it approved by the planning department and if allowed, include a letter of approval to sell from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms with your home-based business license application.
Independent contractor: Works for a business but not as an employee. The business does not pay unemployment, disability or workers' compensation insurance or withhold taxes from pay (contractor, nail tech, hairdresser, massage therapist, aesthetician, etc).
Marijuana businesses: Marijuana business registration information, fees and tax forms. See the marijuana business page for details and application types.
Mobile home park: Landowners with mobile homes on site that they don't own themselves.
Payday lenders: The City of Portland regulates payday lenders for the City of Gresham. See the "Apply or Renew Online" tab for the link to apply.
Regional contractor business license: Contractors or landscapers can buy a single license through Metro to construct, alter and repair requirements in 20 cities in the Portland metropolitan area. See the "Apply or Renew Online" tab for the link to apply.
Rental housing: Required for all residential rental properties including rental homes, duplexes, mobile homes, apartments, condominiums or rooms in a lodging house. Determine your license fee
Second hand or precious metal and gem dealer: Sellers of used and/or second-hand regulated property including used firearms, or buyers and sellers of real and imitation metals and gemstones, such as gold, silver, platinum, diamonds and rubies. See the Second Hand or Precious Metal or Gem Dealers page for more information prior to applying.
Seasonal business: Temporary enterprises, such as a fireworks stand or Christmas tree lot. You will need to obtain permits from the Urban Design and Planning and Fire Departments prior to applying for your license. See the temporary uses and fire permits pages for additional information before applying. You will be asked to include the fire permit number and the planning case number in your seasonal business license application.
Short-term rental registration: Registration for renting a portion of a home or an entire home for a period of up to 30 consecutive nights through online marketplaces such as Airbnb or VRBO. Visit the short-term rental page for details and application types.
Small business permits: You may need permits for your small business. Contact the Small Business Center for help.
