Business Licenses
Any person who conducts business in Gresham or owns a business based in the city must acquire a business license on or before the business begins. Conducting business in Gresham without a license can result in penalties, violation notices, citations and court action.
Types of Business Licenses
- Commercial Business*
Conducted in a building or office, whether owned, rented, or leased
- Home-Based Business*
Operated any place people live
- Independent Contractor
Works for a business but not as its employee. The business does not pay unemployment, disability, or workers' compensation insurance or withhold taxes from pay.
- Mobile Home Park
Landowners with mobile homes on site that they don't own themselves
- Outside Gresham
For businesses located outside of Gresham, but coming into Gresham to do business
- Regional Contractor Business License
Contractors or landscapers can buy a single license to construct, alter and repair requirements in 20 cities in the Portland metropolitan area.
- Rental Housing
Required for all residential rental properties including rental homes, duplexes, mobile homes, apartments, condominiums, or rooms in a lodging house
- Seasonal Business
Temporary enterprises, such as a fireworks stand or Christmas tree lot
- Second Hand or Precious Metal and Gem Dealer
Sellers of used and/or second-hand regulated property, or buyers and sellers of metals and gems, such as gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, and rubies. Also applies to sellers of imitation metals and gemstones.
- Payday Lenders
In addition to a business license, all payday lender locations within Gresham must have a payday lender permit. The City of Portland administers the payday lender program pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement with Gresham.
- Amusement Device
A pool table, pinball machine or game of skill, and mechanically controlled and operated musical instruments or machines, commonly known as "juke boxes" operated for a commercial purpose. An electronic game machine does not include machines which are part of the State lottery.
- Bingo and Social Games
The City authorizes the playing or conducting of bingo and social games by charitable, fraternal and religious organizations in accordance with state law.
*A non-profit organization will need to submit a commercial or home-based business license application, depending on business location. A 501(c)(3) document must be provided to the City to be considered a non-profit.
Further information on Business Licenses can be found in the Gresham Revised Code under Chapter 9 Business Licenses and Regulation
Other Licensing Forms
Report transient lodging taxes
Licensing Fees
Seasonal Sales Stand Application Packet
Contact
Questions about business licenses? Call 503-618-2370.
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