Online Business License Registration

To register or renewer your business license, access the business licensing site here:

West Linn Business Licensing Powered by Citizenserve

Do I need a business license?

Aside from a few exceptions, West Linn City Municipal Code Chapter 7 defines a West Linn business as:
1. Any person or entity advertising or otherwise holding themselves out to the public as engaged in any business within the City,
2. Any person or entity providing goods or services to customers within the City,
3. Owning, leasing, or renting personal property or rental units within the City,
4. Engaging in any transaction involving the production of income from holding property or the gain from the sale of property; and/or
5. Engaging in any activity with the intent to realize a profit.

The City's Municipal Code can be found HERE.

How much are business license registration fees?

Business licensing fees are published HERE.

When and How can I register and pay for my business license?

Business license registrations and renewals are due in June of each year, and are valid for the fiscal year beginning July 1st and ending June 30th of the following year (e.g. your renewal is required to be submitted in June, 2021, and once processed, the license will be active from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022).  License registrations/renewals made after the mid-year point (December 31 of each year) are prorated for six months.

The City processes all business license requests and renewals securely online (see link below) and supports payment via the following methods:
1. credit card (pay online at the time of registration, or call us at 503.656.4262 to pay over the phone),
2. check, money order, or cash (via US Post to our address at West Linn City Hall, 22500 Salamo Road, Suite 600, West Linn, Oregon 97068. If you prefer to pay in person, please call us at 503.656.4262 to arrange a time to drop payment off at City Hall).

Soon after your registration/renewal is processed, you will be able to login, download, and print your new business license certificate directly from our website. This streamlined process is eco-friendly and saves West Linn taxpayers the cost of printing and mailing hard-copy certificates to each business owner.

I have a Metro license. Do I still need to register my business with the City of West Linn?

No, but with one exception: Instead of getting separate business licenses within each Portland-area city that you conduct business in, you can get a single license from Metro to construct, alter and repair structures in 20 cities that have licensing requirements in the metropolitan area. The license covers all construction trades, both commercial and residential, as well as all landscape contractors. The Metro license allows contractors or landscapers to operate in 20 cities surrounding Portland having licensing requirements in the metropolitan area, excluding Portland.

Exception: if your principal place of business is inside the City of West Linn, the business is required to apply for a City of West Linn Business License in addition to the Metro License.

For Metro applications, contact Metro at 503-797-1710 or visit their website at: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=24216.

Please feel free to call us with any further questions: 503-656-4262

Or visit our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS