How to License a Food Cart in Portland

Food carts provide an inexpensive alternative to launching a full-scale restaurant. They also add to the cultural atmosphere of cities and attract tourists and locals shopping on a budget. Food carts have become so popular in Portland that the blog Food Carts Portland exists to promote them along with the book Cartopia. Opening food carts in Portland is a multi-step process because different licenses and permits are required based on the individual needs of the cart; however, following some general guidelines can set you on the path to operating a legal food cart of your own.

• 1

  Obtain insurance for your cart. Specialized firms exist for the purpose of insuring food carts. Sabbe and Associates licenses vendors throughout the United States while and the Steven Englund Insurance Agency is specific to Portland.

• 2

  Obtain permission to operate from neighboring businesses. Getting permission is needed to apply for a license from the Portland Bureau of Transportation, according to KATU.com

• 3

  Obtain a sidewalk vendor permit from Portland's Bureau of Transportation. The total cost for a vendor permit will be around $135.00, according to KATU.com

• 4

  Pass a health inspection and obtain a food service license from the Multnomah County Environmental Health Department. The license will be good for one year, but inspections will occur every six months.

• 5

  Register your business with the city. According to the City of Portland's official website, all businesses must register within 60 days of operation. There is no initial fee; however, businesses that make more than $50,000 annually must obtain a business license and pay 2.2 percent of net income in taxes. Forms for registering a business are available online.