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2003 Hillsboro Economic
Development Partnership
City of Hillsboro/Hillsboro
Chamber of Commerce
Download the Flier in pdf format Español
City Business License
The City of Hillsboro
requires business licenses for all business
operating within the City limits, including
commercial, home and out–of–city locations.
To obtain an annual license, an application
and fee is required and takes about 10–12
business days to process. For more information,
call the Finance Department at 503–681–6100
or http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/finance.
Food
Service/Restaurant Industry – Washington
County Department of Health& Human Services regulates
the Food Service and Restaurant industry
for the county. This department provides
information on health procedures, bed and
breakfast licensing and the Department of
Health and Human Services also conducts food handlers
testing programs, restaurant inspections, and food service
plan reviews. Contact the Health & Human
Services Department at 503–846–8722 or http://www.co.washington.or.us.
Construction
and Landscape Contractor's Business
License – If your business is located in
Hillsboro, a city license is required. In
addition, Metro, the area's regional government,
offers a single license, which allows contractor's
to do business within 19 different cities.
It covers all construction trades, commercial,residential,
and landscape contractors .Qualified applicants
pay a non–refundable fee and the license
is valid for 12 months. Applications and
additional can be obtained at Metro by calling
503–797–1620 or online at http://www.metro–region.org.
Permits
Home Occupation
Permit – The City of
Hillsboro requires every home–based business
to obtain a Home Occupation permit, excluding
garage sales, family daycare of up to 12 children
or adults, or residential/adult foster homes
caring for up to five adults. The permit
process includes an application form and
approval by the Planning Department. Permits
are valid as long as an active City business
license is maintained, providing the home
occupation continues to comply with City
zoning ordinances and any conditions of
approval attached to the permit. For questions
or an application, contact the City of Hillsboro
Planning Department at 503–681–6153.
Obtaining a business
name – Refer to the information on the Oregon
Business Guide.
Business Zoning – Prior to
finalizing allocation for conducting
business, it is advisable to contact the
City's Planning Department. Generally, there
are three types of zoning: residential,
commercial, and industrial. The Planning
Department determines what type of business
activity is authorized within a specified
area. Business signage must also be reviewed
and approved.For more information, contact
the Planning Department at 503–681–6153 or planning_department@ci.hillsboro.or.us.
Taxes
Business Income
Tax – There is no business
income tax in the City of Hillsboro or Washington
County. All businesses are responsible for
meeting tax obligations to the state and
federal government. Please contact the State
of Oregon at http://www.oregon.gov and the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service at http://www.irs.gov.
Personal Property
Tax – All businesses
are required to file an annual personal
property tax report with Washington County
assessor's office. The report should include
all personal property on the business premises
at the assessment date as well as property
placed in storage or held for sale. For
information, contact the Washington County
Assessment and Taxation Department at 503–846–8741
or www.co.washington.or.us.
Tri–Met
Tax – The transit tax program provides
revenue for mass transit. This program is
administered by the Oregon Department of
Revenue for the Tri–County Metropolitan
Transportation District (Tri–Met). The tax
applies to both employers and the self–employed.
Taxes are reported and paid quarterly. For
additional information, please visit the Oregon Department
of Revenue at http://www.dor.state.or.us/withold/transit.html.
Federal
Taxes – All businesses, except certain
sole–proprietors, are required to obtain
a federally issued Employer Identification
Number (EIN). This process is mandatory
for all employers.
Contact
the IRS at 1–800–829–1040 or http://www.irs.gov/businesses/index.html
State
Taxes – Employers are required to
file a Combined Employer's Registration
form with the Oregon Department of Revenue to
obtain a Business Identification Number
(BIN). This BIN is used to report and pay
payroll taxes and assessments administered
by the Oregon Department of Revenue. Contact
the Department at 503–945–8091 or http://www.dor.state.or.us/withhold/bus.html.
Business Assistance
Oregon Business
Guide – This state–based
publication combines information and regulations
from six state agencies into one document
to simplify the process of starting a business
in Oregon. This guide covers information
on registering a business name, and setting
up a business structure, permits, Federal ID numbers,
workers compensation, and sources of business
assistance. To receive a copy call the Oregon Corporation
Division at 503–986–2200 or go to http://www.filinginoregon.com/obg.
The
Workforce Alliance – The Workforce Alliance,
a group of public Washington County employment
and training organizations, provides customized
recruitment, training, retention, and outplacement
services to meet business needs. They offer
business a single point of access to a wide
variety of employment services. For information,
contact the Workforce Alliance at (503)
533–2946 or www.workforceallianceonline.org.
Small Business
Development Centers (SBDC) 20 Oregon Biz
Centers (SBDC) are located throughout Oregon
and provide a variety of services to help
small businesses, including:
• Small
Business Workshops: provide information
on getting started, financing, marketing,
general management, developing a business plan, accounting,
and record keeping.
• Business
Advise: free, confidential counseling to
small/start–up businesses.
• Library
and Resource Center: contains over 300 business
start–up guides, resource material and forms.
• Specialized Training, including: Contractors
Management Series – covers educational requirements
for registration or renewal of a contractor's
license.
For more information, please contact
503–978–5080 or http://www.bizcenter.org/portland.
Small Business
International Trade Center SBITC has experienced
professional staff who provide comprehensive
services and resources to assist businesses
in all aspects of international trade. Some
of the services and resources that SBITC
provides, include:
• Seminars: Seminars
cover topics such as international trade
basics to courses on the major activities,
disciplines, and functions of exporting.
• International
Business Management Program: A certificate
program designed to provide greater awareness
and practical knowledge of how to succeed
in international business.
• Counseling: One–on–one
assistance to businesses on the techniques,
procedures, and strategies of international
trade.
• Market
Research Assistance: Education about the
export markets and trade practices of foreign
countries and assistance in the development
of distribution contacts. Contact the Small
Business International Trade Center at 503–274–7482
or http://www.internationaltrade.pcc.edu.
Oregon Office of
Minority, Women, and Emerging Small Business. The OMWES assists
minority and woman–owned businesses, and
emerging small businesses with targeted
government contracting opportunities through
a "one–stop" certification
program. For information, contact 503–947–7922
or http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/omwesb.
Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs
(OAME) OAME is a non–profit organization
promoting and developing entrepreneurship
and economic development for ethnic minorities
in the state of Oregon.
Services include: technical assistance,
access to capital, matching capability with
opportunity, administrative services, and
information and networking. For more information,
please contact OAME at 503–249–7744 or http://www.oame.org.
Greater
Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber
promotes business prosperity and a healthy
community by providing information,
services, and advocacy for its members.
Membership to the Chamber provides essential
opportunities for business promotion and
networking, in addition to special support
for entrepreneurs, home–businesses, and
Latino business. For more information on
the services available through the Chamber
and how to become a member, please call
503–648–1102
LOCAL UTILITY SERVICES
Water City of
Hillsboro 503–681–6163 http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/water
Sewer Clean Water Services 503–846–4500 http://www.cleanwaterservices.org
Electricity Portland
General Electric 503–228–6322 http://www.portlandgeneral.com
Natural Gas NW Natural 503–226–4211 http://www.nwnatural.com
Garbage For
information on local service, please
call 503–846–8609 Solid Waste and Recycling
Division of Washington County
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BUSINESS RESOURCES
Hillsboro Economic Development Partnership
5193 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite A,
Hillsboro, OR 97124 Phone: (503)648–1102
Fax (503)681–0535 http://www.hillchamber.org jonmk@hillchamber.org jaimem@hillchamber.org
Economic Development Department Contacts
Economic Development Department Staff |