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.

Marijuana Information

  1. Marijuana Retail Business Application
  2. Marijuana Cultivation
  3. Marijuana FSE
  4. Marijuana Manufacturing
  5. Marijuana Small Scale Caregiver
  6. Marijuana Testing
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.

COVID-19 RELATED RESOURCES - TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES & EXPANSION OF OUTDOOR DINING AND RETAIL



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:
*Treasury 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

  1. Booting of Motor Vehicles License
  2. Brewery/Distillery/Winery Alcohol On Premise Application
  3. Brewery/Distillery/Winery Manufacturing Application
  4. Circus License
  5. Entertainment License
  6. Farmers Market Public Property License
  7. Fire Permit
  8. Flea Market Seller License Application
  9. Food Service Establishment - Commissary Kitchen
  10. Going Out of Business Sale
  11. Liquor License
  12. Massage Establishment
  13. Massage Therapist
  14. Massage Therapist - Establishment Combined
  15. Mobile Food Service License - Pushcart/Food Truck
  16. Mobile Food Service Rules and Regs - Pushcarts
  17. Mobile Food Service Rules and Regulations - Food Trucks
  1. Mobile Unit Compliance Handout
  2. Outdoor Dining Private Property
  3. Outdoor Dining Public Property
  4. Parklet Outdoor DIning.docx
  5. Scrap Metal Recycling Facility
  6. Second Hand Dealer Junk Collector
  7. Sidewalk Sale
  8. Single Concert/Single Dance Permit
  9. Street Artist Handbook April 2017
  10. Street Artists Rules and Regulations
  11. Street Goods Vendor
  12. Temporary Food Service Establishment Rules & Regulations
  13. Temporary Food Service License
  14. Towing Wrecker Service License
  15. Transient Sellers Permit
  16. Valet Parking Application
  17. Valet Parking Rules and Regulations

Taxi & Livery Applications

  1. Bicycle Cab Company
  2. Bicycle Cab Driver
  3. Insurance Requirements Information
  4. Taxi Complaint Form
  1. Taxi/Livery Business License
  2. Taxi/Livery/Tour Driver Application
  3. Tour Business Application

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.