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Business Registration

City of Milwaukie Oregon Official Website

So you want to open a business in Milwaukie? Here's what you need to know...
The City's Municipal Code Chapter 5.08 states that no person shall maintain, operate, engage in, conduct, or carry on any business within the city without first having paid the business tax as established by this chapter. A Business Registration is required for businesses operating within the City limits, whether a rental property, commercial or home-based business.  It is a tax imposed by the City Council. The registration is effective January 1st through December 31st.

One of the first steps when you are starting a new business or relocating an existing business is to confirm that your business is allowed at the location you are proposing. The City of Milwaukie Planning Department can help answer any questions you have about uses allowed at specific locations within the City, including what zone the property is located in and any special permits needed. Allowed uses in each zone can be found in Section 19.300 of the Zoning Ordinance. Please also refer to the City’s Zoning Map. If you are in a zone that requires a Conditional Use permit or has limitations, or have questions about what zone the property is located in, please contact the Planning Department at or 503-786-7630 (leave a message with your name, phone, the address, and type of business).

For home-based occupations such as day care or accounting services operated out of your home, the primary requirements are that the owner of the business must reside at the home, and that the business must be secondary/incidental to the use and appearance as a residence. The full list of Home-based business standards can be found in Section 19.507 of the Zoning Ordinance.

New Rules for landlords:
Owners of rental properties who offer for rent one unit of housing are exempt from business tax.  Owners who offer two or more units for rent are subject to business tax.   Landlords who are subject to the tax and offer units in duplexes and single family homes pay a single business tax.  Landlords who offer units in multifamily dwellings and apartment complexes pay business tax on each location.

What is the fee for a new Business Registration?
The full year fee is $115.00 standard base fee plus $6.00 for each full-time employee, including owners.  Two part-time employees equal one full-time employee. A new business which begins January through June will pay the full year fee.  A new business which begins July through December will pay a $60.00 standard base fee plus $6.00 for each full-time employee, owner and part-time employee.

To register your business:
1. Submit an application and appropriate fee to the Finance Department
2. Finance processes the application and checks with the Planning Department to determine if the use is allowable in that location's zone.
3. Once this information is verified you will receive your business registration certificate indicating you are approved for business. 
4. Once your business information is in our database, annual renewal notification will be sent each year in early December.

Register/renew here!

Going out of business?
Please complete the going out of business information at https://www.milwaukieoregon.gov/finance/going-out-business and we will remove you from our database.

Frequently Asked Questions can be found on this page below.
For more information contact the Finance Department at 503-786-7555 or .