Payday loans in Oregon: the rules and your way out

Oregon's rules, line by line

Largest loan

No specific payday dollar cap in ORS 725A beyond the $50,000 'payday loan' definition (ORS 725A.010(6)). A DFR rule reportedly limits loans to 25% of monthly net income for applicants earning $60,000 a year or less (OAR 441-735-0272), not confirmed on an official source.

Shortest term

31 days. A payday lender may not make or renew a payday loan for a term of less than 31 days (ORS 725A.064(3)).

Longest term

60 days. A payday loan is one whose agreement specifies a term of not more than 60 days (ORS 725A.010(6)(a)(B)); DFR: 'at least 31 days and not longer than 60 days.'

Fee or rate cap

A payday lender may not "make or renew a payday loan at a rate of interest that exceeds 36 percent per annum, excluding a one-time origination fee" and may charge, over the life of the loan including all renewals, no more than one origination fee of "$10 per $100 of the loan amount or $30, whichever is less" (ORS 725A.064(1)-(2)). No other fees except the database cost pass-through and one dishonored-payment fee (725A.064(4); 725A.060(1)(c)-(d)). DFR states the maximum APR with fees is 153.77 percent.

Renewals and rollovers

At most two renewals of an existing payday loan (ORS 725A.064(6)); DFR: after two renewals the loan and interest must be paid in full. No second origination fee on renewals (725A.064(2)).

Waiting period between loans

7 days. A payday lender may not make a new payday loan within seven days after the consumer fully repays a previous payday loan (ORS 725A.064(7)).

Loans at once

One. A licensee may not make a loan to a consumer who has not fully repaid an outstanding payday or title loan, except by renewing it (ORS 725A.060(1)(e)).

Payment plan if you cannot pay

No statutory extended payment plan found in ORS 725A.

State loan database

Authorized but not confirmed in operation: the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services 'may develop and implement' a loan tracking and counseling system, and if implemented licensees must update it within one business day (ORS 725A.090).

Limits on collection

One fee per loan for dishonored checks or insufficient funds, no more than $20, plus any fee an unaffiliated bank charges the lender; no bad-check fee, statutory damages or attorney fees under ORS 30.701; these are the lender's only remedy for a bounced payment (ORS 725A.060(1)(c)-(d)). No wage assignments as security (725A.060(1)(a)(D)). Lenders may still recover collection costs authorized by statute or awarded by a court on a defaulted loan (725A.060(2)).

Other rights

May prepay any amount at any time (ORS 725A.056(3)); written disclosure of amount, maturity, interest rate and charges and receipts on request (725A.056). Contract may not include a hold-harmless clause, confession of judgment, waiver of claims or defenses, or waiver of exemptions (725A.064(5)). A person harmed by a violation of 725A.020, .060 or .064 may file a verified written complaint with the Director within one year (725A.080). All payday lenders, including online ones, must be licensed (DFR).

If you are behind on a payday loan in Oregon

1. Stop the automatic withdrawals if they are emptying your account. You can revoke the lender's permission to debit your account and tell your bank. How to do it.
2. Look at a credit union payday alternative loan. Federal credit unions can lend $200 to $2,000 at much lower cost. How they work.
3. Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor. A counselor can look at all your bills, not just this one. How to find a real one.

Check a lender, or report one

• Check whether a lender is licensed in Oregon
• File a complaint with the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Division of Financial Regulation (DFR)
• File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Sources

• ORS Chapter 725A, Short-Term Loans and Student Loan Servicing (2025 Edition), read 2026-10-24
• Oregon DFR, Payday loans ('Would you pay $1,000 for a $300 loan?'), read 2026-10-24
• Oregon DFR, Licensed payday and title lenders, read 2026-10-24
• Oregon DFR, Check a license (payday and title lenders link to NMLS Consumer Access), read 2026-10-24
• Oregon DFR, File a complaint, read 2026-10-24

This page summarizes the law; it is not legal advice. Laws change, and the statute and regulator control. If something here is out of date, write to hello@paydayloan.help.