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I Want an Auto Dealers License

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If you are interested in becoming an auto dealer, you may already know you must obtain an auto dealers license from the Department of Motor Vehicles. In order to qualify for a dealer's license, the City must approve your business location and sign the DMV application form.

To obtain City authorization for any new or renewal DMV dealer applications, your desired location must meet all of the applicable criteria for the City of Tigard and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Even if you have had a dealer's license in the past, City approval is based on the DMV criteria and how it currently applies to your desired location. The City cannot amend or alter the DMV application or criteria.

Please review the following information on the DMV application criteria and how it applies in the City of Tigard.

The DMV mandates to the "local zoning official":

"...Your approval below should be based upon whether the applicant can do ANY of the activities listed in (a) through (c) under your ordinances, at the location of the business given..."

Buys, sells, brokers, trades or exchanges vehicles either outright or by means of any conditional sale, bailment, lease, security interest, consignment or otherwise

Displays a new or used vehicle, trailer, semi trailer or manufacture structure for sale

Acts as any type of agent for the owner of a vehicle to sell the vehicle or acts as any type of agent for a person interested in buying a vehicle to buy a vehicle.

The City of Tigard cannot give approval or sign the DMV application if your desired location does not allow all of these activities.

The DMV mandates: "�each business location established by a dealer shall: (1) have sufficient space to display one or more vehicles of the type the dealer has been issued a certificate to sell".

The City of Tigard can only approve your DMV application if the zoning and designated use of your desired location does permit outdoor display of merchandise.

The DMV mandates: "Your vehicles must be sold and displayed for sale at this location..."

The City of Tigard can only approve your DMV application if the zoning and designated use of your desired location does permit auto sales and the display of outdoor merchandise.

The DMV mandates: "�each business location established by a dealer shall: (3) have displayed an exterior sign permanently affixed to the land or a building which identifies the dealership by the name shown on the vehicle dealer certificate".

The City of Tigard can only approve your DMV application if the zoning and designated use for your desired location does permit exterior signage.

YOUR CHECKLIST:
Before setting your business up, including committing to a space, be sure you will be eligible to run your business from your desired location. The following are some questions for you to consider while researching your business venture in Tigard.

Are auto sales permitted by the zoning regulations for your desired location?
Are exterior storage, display, and sales of merchandise permitted by the zoning regulations for your desired location?
Are exterior signs permitted by the zoning regulations for your desired business location?
Is the actual property designed and approved for a commercial use of this type?
If you do not own the property, do you have permission from the property owner to run this type of business?
Do you have a Tigard Business License?
Did you obtain approval and sign permits for any exterior marketing?

The City of Tigard strives to encourage both small and large business opportunities. If your business venture does not qualify for approval at the location you are considering, we welcome you to research other locations that will meet zoning and use requirements.

For additional information on Department of Motor Vehicle Auto Dealership regulations and City of Tigard zoning, codes, and application processes:

Tigard Development Code
www.tigard-or.gov/business/municipal_code/title-18.asp

Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles Dealers and Businesses
www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/dealers/index.shtml

City of Tigard Planning and Zoning Department
13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, Oregon
503-639-4171

Download the brochure:
Auto Dealer's License