Salem is the capital and Portland is the largest city of Oregon. It is a good location to start any business especially home based businesses. More people have begun in home based businesses as it offers them several advantages such as reduced operating costs, saving time and money spent on traveling to the work place, getting quality time with family etc. However, it is necessary to do some research to find out if there are any licensing requirements for operating a business from home.
Business License Requirements:
It is recommended to give your business a legal structure, which can be done with the help of an experienced attorney who will also guide you regarding the type of entity that best suits your business. This can be also done by calling the Oregon Corporation Division at (503) 986-2200 or visiting their website http://www.filinginoregon.com
It will be necessary to choose a business name that has been formed in compliance with applicable State laws and ensuring that it is not a replica of any registered business.
It will be necessary to find out about the various licenses that are required for your kind of business and to check if it is permitted to operate as an in house based business. In order to get a license, all businesses have to get approval from the Planning, Building, Environmental Health and Facilities Departments of the County. In home based businesses must comply with all restrictions, regulations and zoning ordinances required by the Tax Collector, Planning Department as well as being reviewed by the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department if the nature of your business requires it.
There are several factors to be considered, such as:
o Rule that permits only the resident of the home and one employee to work in the house etc.
o Certain commercial businesses have certain restrictions such as complying with zoning laws and regulations that may limit the size of their signboards, restricts the outdoor storage, parking space, or requires other special permits etc.
It will be advisable to contact the local courthouse to garner details about the exact licenses and permits that pertain to your chosen area of business.
Some kinds of businesses do not need licenses where as others require special business licenses and other need a general business license. Some businesses that are in home based require licenses in the State level too such as the food service industry or if you are a professional such as a lawyer, doctor etc. Businesses that offer investment advice or that sells firearms need federal business licenses.
For more information, contact Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at (800) 452-4011; OSHA at (503) 378-3272, or (800) 922-2689 inside Oregon; or the State Fire Marshall at (503) 373-1540.
For information on Oregon taxes, contact the Oregon Department of Revenue, (503) 378-4988 or visit http://www.irs.gov.