All restaurants and food establishments must be licensed and pass regular health inspections to assure that the facility meets food safety standards. This applies to restaurants that sell food to the public from a set address, including bed and breakfasts.
You must obtain a plan review and license before:
- Opening a new restaurant
- Remodeling a restaurant
You must also contact us if your menu changes or if you are changing ownership.
Good to Know
Prior to receiving your license from us, there may be other agencies from which you will be required to obtain approvals. These include, but are not limited to:
- Planning (zoning)
- Building codes (structural, electrical, plumbing, prefabricated structures)
- Fire marshal
- City or county authorities
Food handler cards are required for all restaurant workers. You can take the test online.
Bed and breakfasts must also obtain a lodging permit»
If your food business is in Portland, you might be required to compost food scraps»
Requirements
Read the plan review requirements, above, for full details on how to prepare your restaurant plan. Your plan must include:
- Proposed menu
- Floor plan to scale
- Required plumbing fixtures
- Seating layout (show maximum number of seats)
- Employee break area for eating, drinking and smoking
- List surface finishes for all walls floors and ceilings
- Ventilation
- Hot water (tank size and BTU rating)
- Garbage storage area and surfaces
Get a License
If you're building or remodeling a restaurant:
1. Get a plan review. Send us:
A completed
DocumentRestaurant Plan Review Application (117.94 KB)- Your plans
- The plan review fee payment
We will respond within 15 business days.
2. Apply for your license. Once you’ve received a plan approval letter, you may begin construction. Your next step is to send us your license application and fee payment.
3. Schedule the pre-opening inspection. Once construction is complete and you've applied for your license, call us to arrange a pre-opening inspection. This can take up to 5 business days to schedule.
After you pass the pre-opening inspection, you can open for business.
After you've received your license, the restaurant will get its first inspection within a few weeks.
If you're a new owner:
Send us the following:
- Document
or
Document - DocumentChange of Ownership Form (78 KB)
- License fee payment
We will review your application and determine whether a plan review is needed.
Application Forms
Fees
Based on the number of seats inside the restaurant.
- 0-15 seats: $730
- 16-50 seats: $865
- 51-150 seats: $970
- Over 150 seats: $1,160
- Bed & Breakfast: $315
- Limited service (pre-packaged items only): $670
Plan Review:
- New construction: $950
- Remodel: $890
- New construction rush $2,840
- Remodel rush $2,680
Restaurant recheck fee (after two rechecks): $205
Pay Fees Online
We'll email you an invoice and you can pay online using your invoice number. Make a payment»
Renew
Licenses are good for one calendar year. Renew your license by paying the license fee by January 1 of each year.
Routine Inspections
Environmental health specialists conduct twice yearly inspections to ensure operations follow Oregon’s Food Sanitation Rules.
Inspections are unannounced, and at the end the restaurant will receive a score. The inspection results are posted to the public on this website.
During an inspection, health inspectors will:
- Evaluate food workers’ practices, including how foods are received and stored, and how food is processed and cooked.
- Evaluate cooling, holding and reheating temperatures.
- Report observed violations not in compliance with the food rules.
Contact Us
Multnomah County Environmental Health
919 NE 19th Ave, Suite 170N *(temporary address)
Portland, Oregon (Map)
503-988-3400
503-988-5844 fax
eh.front.office@multco.us
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 4:30pm