Business Licenses

As of January 1, 2025, businesses operating within the City of Hermiston are required to obtain a business license. This license is required for any person or entity conducting business within the City of Hermiston and must be renewed annually. This includes businesses based in a home or located elsewhere and temporarily doing business in Hermiston. Please refer to 119.04 for licensing requirements and 119.05 for exemptions.

Inquiries and documents can be sent to businesslicense@hermiston.gov.

Helpful links

Fee Schedule

The fee is structured to be as simple as possible for business owners to understand. Businesses with a permanent location in Hermiston pay a base rate of $85 and businesses with no permanent location in Hermiston but doing business in Hermiston pay a base rate of $100.

The base rate includes up to 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, and each additional FTE adds an additional $15 ($20 for businesses without a permanent Hermiston location). Businesses with 50 or more FTEs pay a maximum of $1,000 annually ($1,200 for businesses without a permanent Hermiston location).

Enter the FTE in the calculator below to show the annual rate for both types of businesses.

Business Locator

All businesses operating within Hermiston city limits must obtain a business license. Not sure if this applies to you? Simply enter your business address into the Hermiston Zoning Map. If your address falls within the shaded area, it is within the Hermiston city limits.

 

Background

The City of Hermiston joined the vast majority of communities around Oregon and the United States by implementing a local Business License program. The Hermiston Business Advisory Committee in 2012 recommended that the City implement a business license program, but the City Council  declined to act on the recommendation because it felt the associated revenue was not necessary at the time, and the program should only be implemented when it was needed.

In 2023, Hermiston and many other cities across Oregon grappled with funding challenges requiring cuts to services while community growth was still driving up demand for those services. The City Council engaged in eight months of full city-wide service reviews and analysis of funding sources.  This resulted in:

  • Ongoing spending cuts of $450,000 per year, primarily in street construction
  • Adding $5 per month to all utility bills for additional police staffing
  • Increasing hotel/motel taxes on visitors from 8% to 9%
  • Adopting a Business License Fee

This business license fee goes into effect on January 1, 2025 and revenue will support the general fund budget that covers the Hermiston Police Department, Parks & Recreation Department, Public Library, Community Court, and Administration.

State of Oregon Business Licenses

Contact the State of Oregon Business Information Center for more information regarding starting a business in Oregon. The Business Information Center, a service of six state agencies, provides general information on:

  • State business registration and licensing requirements
  • Oregon withholding and unemployment taxes, workers' compensation insurance, and more
  • Referrals to appropriate agencies for state licenses, regulatory information, business assistance and counseling programs, and public secotr loan programs
  • Obtaining a federal tax identification number

Public Service Building
Suite 151
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97310-1327
503-986-2200
www.FilingInOregon.com

Other Licenses

Permits from the City of Hermiston are required for new or remodeled buildings and zoning changes.

Three specific industries must apply for a license through the following departments:

  1. Door-to-Door Solicitors- Billing/Finance Department
  2. Mobile Food Vendors- Planning Department
  3. Taxi Cab Companies- Planning Department

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, remote workers who simply work from home for out-of-town companies which are doing work which is primarily outside of Hermiston, are not considered to be “doing business” in Hermiston.

Category: Business Licenses

Yes, some examples include:

  • Youth-run businesses: A child selling cookies or lemonade on the sidewalk for a few days is not required to get a license.
  • Part of a licensed business: Independent contractors (like beauticians) working under a larger, licensed business do not need their own license if the larger business includes them for the purposes of calculating FTE for their own license.
  • Garage sales: Exempt unless the sale exceeds 72 hours or the individual holds more than 5 garage sales in a year.
  • Non-profits and government entities: These are not required to pay the fee, but their private contractors/vendors who are not considered employees of the non-profit or government entity, must obtain licensing and pay all fees.

See § 119.14 for more details.

Category: Business Licenses

Certain businesses may be exempt, including certain government activities and specific nonprofit organizations. Refer to § 119.05 for a complete list of exemptions.

Category: Business Licenses

A prime contractor may obtain a single business license for large projects involving multiple subcontractors, where the prime contractor applies for the license in lieu of each subcontractor getting a separate license. This applies to construction projects as defined in § 119.13.

Category: Business Licenses

Yes, authorized City officials can inspect business premises to ensure compliance with licensing regulations. If access is denied, the City may seek a warrant. This is explained in § 119.14.

Category: Business Licenses

Generally, each distinct business operation requires its own license.

Category: Business Licenses

Yes, promoters of trade shows or carnivals must apply for a special license as outlined in § 119.12. This license is necessary to allow vendors to operate under one umbrella for a short time.

Category: Business Licenses

You can complete the online application form here.

Category: Business Licenses

A business license is valid for the calendar year in which it is issued, and renewal is required each January. Refer to § 119.09 for more details.

Category: Business Licenses

The City will use software to administer and track business licenses. City officials will monitor compliance, and businesses may face penalties for failing to obtain a license. The fee will be due annually on January 1, and businesses will need to renew their license each year.

Category: Business Licenses

Violations can result in fines of up to $1,000 per offense. Ongoing violations may lead to further legal action. See § 119.14 for more details.

Category: Business Licenses

If your business is found to be operating without a valid license or in violation of the rules, it may be subject to fines, abatement, or other penalties. For further details, refer to § 119.14.

Category: Business Licenses

You have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal must be filed within 15 days of the denial, suspension, or revocation. The appeal process is outlined in § 119.11.

Category: Business Licenses

A business license is required for any person or entity conducting business within the City of Hermiston. This includes operating a business from home, and businesses located elsewhere which may temporarily doing business within Hermiston. Please refer to § 119.04 for specific license requirements.

Category: Business Licenses

The fee is based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees a business has, and whether the business has a permanent location within city limits. Use the calculator on the Business Licenses page.

Category: Business Licenses

Supporting Documents

PDF icon Hermiston Business License (1 MB)
PDF icon Aplicación General De Licencia De Negocio (1005 KB)
PDF icon Construction Project License (904 KB)
PDF icon Aplicación De Licencia De Proyecto De Construcción (1 MB)
Billing/Finance Department 180 NE 2nd Street 541-567-5521 billing@hermiston.gov
Planning & Zoning Department 180 NE 2nd Street 541-667-5025 planning@hermiston.gov
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