Multnomah County Health Department - Environmental Health / Health Inspections Program · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Multnomah County food-facility health permits run about $970–$1,545 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $580. Confirm the exact amount with Multnomah County Health Department - Environmental Health / Health Inspections Program before you budget.
Confirm the authority for your exact address. Some cities run their own health division, and building, planning, fire, sewer/grease and business-license approvals are separate even when Multnomah County Health Department - Environmental Health / Health Inspections Program issues the health permit.
About 3,001 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 789,698. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Last verified: 2026-08-17 — we re-confirmed the serving authority, its contact, and that the fees below match the current published schedule. Fee schedules may carry an earlier effective date (shown per fee); local ordinances & amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date? Report an update →
Restaurant / food-facility permit
Restaurant / Food Service Establishment License (annual)
Seat-based (2026, effective Jan 1 2026):
0-15 seats $970
16-50 seats $1,150
51-150 seats $1,290
over 150 seats $1,545
First health license fee increase in 5 years took effect 2026-01-01. County is required by Oregon state law to license and inspect restaurants
Plan review — required
Food cart pod plan review $580 (official 2026)
Restaurant/permanent plan review fee not separately published in sources reviewed
Oregon 100-point sanitation score (pass at 70); Multnomah posts current restaurant scores online.
Inspection scores & grading
Grading system: 0-100 sanitation score. Multnomah County Environmental Health runs all restaurant inspections (Portland does not). Restaurants/B&Bs get a 0-100 sanitation score (points deducted per violation) from two unannounced routine inspections/year; searchable database holds ~1 year of results.
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Multnomah County’s permit cost compares
At about $970/year, Multnomah County’s restaurant health permit is above the Oregon median ($180) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 100% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 34th-lowest of 35 Oregon counties by permit cost.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
Local food-service market
About 3,001 food & drinking establishments serve ~789,698 residents in Multnomah County — one per ~263 residents, denser than the Oregon average (one per ~443).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$970 annual health permit + $580 plan review.
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
The full approval stack
A code-compliant kitchen in Multnomah County needs more than the health permit — these approvals are handled by separate offices. Confirm current requirements with each.
Food cart pods are separately regulated: each pod must file a plan review ($580) and carry its own pod permit
Food handler cards required for all restaurant workers (can be completed online)
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
pushcart/limited operation
$890
Limited Service license (pre-packaged items only)
caterer
—
Catering licensed under Oregon food service rules; fee not separately shown on page (Bed & Breakfast listed at $420 as related lodging-food category)
Equipment your Multnomah County plan review will check
Health-department plan review looks for specific, code-compliant fixtures. Compare spec-filtered options, then confirm counts and sizes with your local requirements. See the full list in what equipment a commercial kitchen requires.
Seat-based (2026, effective Jan 1 2026): 0-15 seats $970; 16-50 seats $1,150; 51-150 seats $1,290; over 150 seats $1,545 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Multnomah County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Food cart pod plan review $580 (official 2026); Restaurant/permanent plan review fee not separately published in sources reviewed; null (see forms/plan review packet)
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Multnomah County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. New rules/fees for licensing and inspecting food cart pods were adopted; each pod must submit a plan review
Who issues food permits in Multnomah County?
Food permits here are issued by Multnomah County Health Department - Environmental Health / Health Inspections Program. See the department site for current details.
Are city building and fire approvals separate?
Yes — building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals are always separate from the health permit and are often handled by different offices.
Published by Resultex Media Group LLC · Independent & vendor-neutral · Educational only, not legal or engineering advice · Last verified September 2026