For the first time in 5 years, Multnomah County will increase health license fees. Starting on January 1, 2026, all food service establishments, lodgings, pools and spas, and child care facilities will pay the new fees listed below.
We'll email you an invoice and you can pay fees online»
Other fees may apply. Call 503-988-3400 for more information.
Restaurants
Based on the number of seats inside the restaurant.
0-15 seats: $970
16-50 seats: $1,150
51-150 seats: $1,290
Over 150 seats: $1,545
Bed and breakfast: $420
Limited service (prepackaged items only): $890
Restaurant Plan Review
New construction: $1,265
Remodel: $1,185
Rush, new construction: $3,780
Rush, remodel: $3,565
Restaurant recheck fee (after 2 rechecks): $270
Food Carts (Mobile Unit)
Classes I, II, III: $760
Class IV: $920
Plan review: $790
Plan review, rush: $2,380
Commissary and Warehouse
Commissary servicing, mobile: $720
Warehouse: $630
Food Cart Pods
License, based on the number of carts:
2-9 carts: $540
10 or more carts: $720
Plan review: $770
Temporary Food Events
1-30 day single event: $210
30-day intermittent: $210
90-day seasonal: $210
Late fee: $100
Out-of-county mobile unit: $25
Annual administrative service fee (for benevolent organizations): $50
Operational review for seasonal and intermittent: $140
Child Care and Adult Facilities
Child care centers, based on the number of children:
1-12: $370
13-20: $390
21 and over: $410
Family homes: $385
Before and after school programs: $370
Plan review: $450
Consultation: $265/hour
Lodging
Based on the number of units
1-25: $490
26-50: $505
51-75: $610
76-100: $650
Over 100: $680 + $1 each additional unit
Bed and Breakfast accommodations: $305
Pools and Spas
Based on the number of pools/spas at the same location.
1-2: $1170
Over 2, same location: $410
1-2 seasonal: $600
Over 2 seasonal, same location: $410
Questions about the fee increase
Why are fees increasing?
License fees have been frozen since 2020 to help support community and businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. This was made possible by pandemic relief funds and the County General Fund.
Because relief funds have ended, an increase is needed to pay for the full cost of providing health inspections and licenses.
Increased fees will apply to businesses that handle food, provide lodging and operate pools.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved the fee increase on June 12, 2025.
How much are fees increasing?
Up to 33%, depending on the license type and establishment.
Since July 1, 2020, Multnomah County has spent over $13 million dollars to cover program costs to support the food and hospitality industry. These funds included:
- Over $8 million in General Fund
- $5.3 millions of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds given as grants
License fees have historically increased 5-7% each year to cover necessary program costs. This increase will bring us back to being fully funded by license fees.
What do license fees pay for?
License fees are only allowed to pay for the Health Inspections program. By state law, they cannot be used to pay for other programs.
Approved costs include:
- Routine health inspections
- Food safety training (training food handlers on how to keep food safe)
- Outbreak inspections (investigating food and water outbreaks)
What does the Health Inspections program do?
Multnomah County is required by state law to license and regularly inspect restaurants, food carts, lodging, pool and spa establishments, and temporary food events.
The Health Inspections program safeguards public health and supports a strong restaurant, food cart and hospitality economy. It conducts over 12,000 annual inspections, responds to hundreds of public complaints, and investigates numerous food and waterborne illnesses at facilities throughout Multnomah County.
We set standards, conduct inspections, enforce regulations and provide education. Our goal is to ensure that businesses operate in a safe and healthy manner.
These efforts support business growth and disease prevention, fostering a safe environment for the public.
Establishments we inspect:
- Restaurants, food carts, temporary food events, food cart pods
- Schools
- Hotels and motels
- Swimming pools and spas
- Childcare facilities
*Not included: Tobacco retail license inspections
What happens during a health inspection?
Trained health inspectors conduct regular, unannounced inspections to check compliance with health and safety regulations. These inspections cover:
- Food safety. Proper food handling, storage, preparation and temperature control to prevent foodborne illnesses.
- Sanitation. Cleanliness of facilities, equipment and restrooms to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria.
- Safety. Ensure safe working conditions for employees and to prevent accidents.
- Structural integrity. Maintain the physical condition of buildings and facilities to prevent hazards.
How are fees decided?
Fees are based on the:
- Number of facilities that require inspections
- Types of facility (restaurant, food cart, pool/spa, etc.)
- Average amount of time needed to complete those inspections
What are the fees for 2025?
When will new fees take effect?
January 1, 2026. All licenses renewed or issued on this date will pay the updated fees.
Will there be an option for a payment plan?
Yes. Existing customers will be able to make 3 equal payments when it’s time to renew your yearly license.
We will provide more instructions about payment plans during the yearly renewal process in late 2025.
What if I have questions or comments?
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