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Business Licensing
Marijuana Licensing:
Please email applications and supporting documents to marijuana@portlandmaine.gov
The City Manager has set July 1, 2020 as the opening date for Retail Store applications. The end date will be August 31, 2020.
The City Business License Administrator provides applications and coordinates all interdepartmental approvals pursuant to licensing ordinances. The Business License Administrator is responsible for issuing all business licenses for the City of Portland. To contact the Business License Administrator, call 207-874-8557.
On October 19, 2020, the City Council approved an extension of this pilot program through January 4, 2021. Permit application materials are below.
On May 18, 2020, the City Council approved a pilot program that allows City staff to temporarily close several downtown streets in order to facilitate the expansion of outdoor dining and retail. The program also includes the expansion of outdoor dining and retail operations on sidewalks, parks/squares, private parking lots, and the use of parklets in parking spaces. These temporary business licenses will be valid June 1 through November 1.
Pilot Program Proposal *Streets listed for closure subject to change
Read our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Temporary Business Licenses for Pilot Program
Outdoor Dining - Extension of Permit
Temporary Public Property Outdoor Dining
Temporary Private Property Outdoor Dining
Temporary Parklet Outdoor Dining
Temporary Sidewalk Sale
Business License Requirements:
Any outstanding taxes or sewer fees will affect your ability to obtain your business license until they are brought current.
City Treasury Division
Room 102
Portland, ME 04101
Ph: 207-874-8856
COVID-19 RELATED RESOURCES - TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES & EXPANSION OF OUTDOOR DINING AND RETAIL
On October 19, 2020, the City Council approved an extension of this pilot program through January 4, 2021. Permit application materials are below.
On May 18, 2020, the City Council approved a pilot program that allows City staff to temporarily close several downtown streets in order to facilitate the expansion of outdoor dining and retail. The program also includes the expansion of outdoor dining and retail operations on sidewalks, parks/squares, private parking lots, and the use of parklets in parking spaces. These temporary business licenses will be valid June 1 through November 1.
Pilot Program Proposal *Streets listed for closure subject to change
Read our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Temporary Business Licenses for Pilot Program
Outdoor Dining - Extension of Permit
Temporary Public Property Outdoor Dining
Temporary Private Property Outdoor Dining
Temporary Parklet Outdoor Dining
Temporary Sidewalk Sale
Business License Requirements:
Prior to receiving a city license to conduct a business, most business types require an inspection or approval from:
- Zoning Approval
- Health Inspection (Food Service Inspections)
- Code Enforcement Approval / Building Inspection
- Fire Department Approval
- SBI Background Check / Police Department Approval
Any outstanding taxes or sewer fees will affect your ability to obtain your business license until they are brought current.
City Treasury Division
Room 102
Portland, ME 04101
Ph: 207-874-8856
Fees
All business licenses require a $45 application fee. However, if you are applying for multiple licenses at the same time, only one $45 fee is required. All fees, applications, and licenses must be paid on an annual basis. Renewal application fees are $35. Please do not send cash in the mail.
Applications, Permits & Supporting Information
- Booting of Motor Vehicles License
- Brewery/Distillery/Winery Alcohol On Premise Application
- Brewery/Distillery/Winery Manufacturing Application
- Circus License
- Entertainment License
- Farmers Market Public Property License
- Fire Permit
- Flea Market Seller License Application
- Food Service Establishment - Commissary Kitchen
- Going Out of Business Sale
- Liquor License
- Massage Establishment
- Massage Therapist
- Massage Therapist - Establishment Combined
- Mobile Food Service License - Pushcart/Food Truck
- Mobile Food Service Rules and Regs - Pushcarts
- Mobile Food Service Rules and Regulations - Food Trucks
- Mobile Unit Compliance Handout
- Outdoor Dining Private Property
- Outdoor Dining Public Property
- Parklet Outdoor DIning.docx
- Scrap Metal Recycling Facility
- Second Hand Dealer Junk Collector
- Sidewalk Sale
- Single Concert/Single Dance Permit
- Street Artist Handbook April 2017
- Street Artists Rules and Regulations
- Street Goods Vendor
- Temporary Food Service Establishment Rules & Regulations
- Temporary Food Service License
- Towing Wrecker Service License
- Transient Sellers Permit
- Valet Parking Application
- Valet Parking Rules and Regulations
Doing Business As (DBA)
Regardless of the type of business license applied for, if the applicant intends to operate as a sole proprietor or a partnership, a d/b/a (doing business as) must be filed. The d/b/a filing fee is $10.