Portland food truck permits: checklist & costs

What a food truck needs to operate in Portland, OR — the approvals, who issues them, typical fees and how often they renew.

Estimated first-year permitting

$1,165–$1,285

Permit checklist

  1. 1. Plan Review

    Multnomah County Environmental Health · $595.00 · renews every year

  2. 2. Mobile Unit Licence (Class I-IV)

    Multnomah County Environmental Health · $570.00 · renews every year

  3. 3. Business Tax Account (file even if $0)

    City of Portland Revenue Division · $0.00 · renews every year

  4. 4. Food Handler Cards

    Oregon Health Authority · fee varies · renews every year

  5. 5. Food Cart Pod Permit (if joining a pod)

    Pod operator / City of Portland · fee varies · renews every year

Things to know in Portland

  • · Published: ~$595 plan review plus $570-$690/yr health permit (Class I-IV, set by prep complexity).
  • · Business Tax Account is free under $50K revenue but you must still file.
  • · Oregon-specific food handler cards are required; there is no state sales tax.
  • · Joining an established food cart pod requires a separate pod-level permit on top of your individual licence.

Costs are planning ranges compiled from published fee schedules — not quotes. Fees, categories and timelines change, so verify locally with the issuing agency before you budget or apply.

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