Washington Business License

General Business License Requirements for Washington.
Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in Washington.
Washington General Business Licenses
Washington Business License
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary. There is a $90 fee for opening a new business and a $19 for registering a trade name, adding additional endorsements to an existing location, or making similar changes to an existing license. |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
General business licenses do not need to be renewed.
Local General Business Licenses
Bellevue Business License
Agency: | City of Bellevue Bellevue Tax Division (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $100 license fee + $5 minimum processing fee |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
Licenses do not expire and do not need to be renewed.
Centralia Business License
Agency: | Centralia City Clerk's Office (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $50 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $50 |
Due: | Annually |
City of Bothell General Business License
Agency: | Washington Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Depends on the number of employees:
Businesses with reported gross annual income of $12,000 or less do not have a license fee. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Depends on the number of employees:
Businesses with reported gross annual income of $12,000 or less do not have a license fee. |
Due: | Annually |
City of Burien Business License
Agency: | City of Burien (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: |
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Notes: |
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: |
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Due: | Annually by date of issuance |
City of Burlington Business License
Agency: | Washington Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Depends on reported gross annual income:
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Depends on reported gross annual income:
|
Due: | Annually |
City of Chehalis Business License
Agency: | City of Chehalis Planning & Building Department (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Instructions: |
|
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $50 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 |
Due: | Annually by date of issuance. |
City of Des Moines Business License
Agency: | City of Des Moines Finance Department - Tax and License Division (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
|
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by business type. See fee schedule here. |
Before you Apply: |
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City of Ellensburg Business License
Agency: | City of Ellensburg Finance Department (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Fee is determined based on the number of employees:
|
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee is determined based on the number of employees:
|
Due: | Annually |
City of Everett General Business License
Agency: | City of Everett City Clerk's Office (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $83.00 if starting business in Everett between January 1 through June 30 or $41.50 if starting business in Everett between July 1 through December 31. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Renewal fees will be noted on your tax form. |
Due: | Annually by January 31. |
City of Issaquah Business License
Agency: | Washington Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $60; Non-resident businesses with gross annual income earned within the city's limit of $3,000 or less do not pay a fee. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $50; Non-resident businesses with gross annual income earned within the city's limit of $3,000 or less do not pay a fee. |
Due: | Annually |
City of Kent Master Business License
Agency: | City of Kent Customer Service (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Varies by number of employees and business type. See the Fee Schedule for details. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Varies by number of employees and business type. See the Fee Schedule for details. |
Due: | Annually by December 31. |
City of Lacey Business License
Agency: | City of Lacey Finance Department (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $25 for businesses located within city limits and for non-resident businesses with more than $2,000 of gross annual income earned within city limits. Nonprofit businesses and non-resident businesses no more than $2,000 of gross annual income earned within city limits do not pay a fee. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $10 for businesses located within city limits and for non-resident businesses with more than $2,000 of gross annual income earned within city limits. Nonprofit businesses and non-resident businesses no more than $2,000 of gross annual income earned within city limits do not pay a fee. |
Due: | Annually |
City of Puyallup Business License
Initial Registration
Instructions: | If you are planning to open a business in Puyallup, you will need to apply for and receive a Business License. These licenses are issued through the State of Washington Business Licensing Service (BLS) |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | See fee schedule here |
City of Redmond Business License
Agency: | City of Redmond Business Licensing (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Minimum $119. Variable based on number of full-time employees. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Minimum $119. Variable based on number of full-time employees. |
Due: | Annually |
Original Ink: | Not required |
City of Renton Business License
Agency: | City of Renton Finance Department - Tax and License Division (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
|
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Online or mail |
Agency Fee: | $150, after July 1st, $75 |
Before you Apply: | Prior to applying for a City of Renton business license, businesses must first obtain a Uniform Business Identification number (UBI) from the Washington State Department of Revenue or 1-360-705-6741. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $150 |
Due: | Annually by January 31. |
City of Sammamish Business License
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Due: | Annually |
City of Tacoma Business License
Agency: | City of Tacoma Tax & License Division (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees range from $25 to $250. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees are determined based on gross income. |
Due: | Annually by December 31. |
City of Tukwila Business License
Initial Registration
Instructions: | The City of Tukwila has transitioned the city’s business licensing services to Washington State. Please go to BLS.DOR.WA.gov to apply for a City of Tukwila business license. Once approved, the city license will show as an endorsement on your State Business License. You will need to set up a SAW (Secure Access Washington) account in order to apply for a State and City of Tukwila business license. |
Filing Method: |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Due: | Annually by date of issuance |
Covington Business License
Agency: | Washington Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $90 |
Turnaround: | Mail: 2 to 3 weeks. Online: 10 business days. If you have city or state endorsements, it may take an additional 2-3 weeks to receive your business license due to approval time. |
Law: |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $60 City of Convington endorsement + $10 processing fee. |
Due: | Annually by business anniversary. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail approximately six weeks before your endorsements expire. |
Law: |
Duvall Business License
Agency: | City of Duvall City Clerk's Office (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $55 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $55 |
Due: | Annually |
Kirkland General Business License
Agency: | Washington Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | For domestic entities:
For non-resident entities:
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | For domestic entities:
For non-resident entities:
|
Due: | Annually |
Moses Lake Business License
Agency: | Moses Lake Finance Department (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Depends on gross annual income earned with city limits: $0 for $2,000 or less and $85 for greater than $2,000 in gross annual income. Nonprofit businesses may be exempt from license fees. |
Notes: | Application for a Moses Lake license can be completed concurrently with the Washington State Business License application. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Depends on gross annual income earned with city limits: $0 for $2,000 or less and $85 for greater than $2,000 in gross annual income. Nonprofit businesses may be exempt from license fees. |
Due: | Annually |
Mountlake Terrace Business License
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | License fee is determine by number of employees (FTEs) who work within the city limits of Mountlake Terrace:
|
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | License fee is determine by number of employees (FTEs) who work within the city limits of Mountlake Terrace:
|
Due: | Annually |
Olympia General Business License
Agency: | City of Olympia Business License Section (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $30 for businesses located within city limits. Non-resident businesses with gross annual income earned within this city’s limits of $2,000 or less pay $0 while those with more than $2,000 in gross annual income pay $30. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $30 for businesses located within city limits. Non-resident businesses with gross annual income earned within this city’s limits of $2,000 or less pay $0 while those with more than $2,000 in gross annual income pay $30. |
Due: | Annually |
Richland Business License
Agency: | Washington Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Varies by business type Resident Businesses:
Non-resident Businesses:
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Varies by business type Resident Businesses:
Non-resident Businesses:
|
Due: | Annually |
Seattle Business License Tax Certificate
Agency: | City of Seattle Department of Finance and Administrative Services (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees are updated every year in line with CPI changes. |
Spokane Business License
Agency: | City of Spokane Business Licensing Service (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $117 + $19 processing fee + number of employees as follows: 1-5 ($10) 6-10 ($15) 11 0r more ($20); Non profit fee is $58.50 and they are exempt from the number of employees fee. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | Depends on gross receipts. |
Due: | Annually |
Tumwater Business License
Agency: | Tumwater Finance Department - Business Licensing Division (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $50 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 |
Due: | Annually |
Vancouver Business License
Agency: | Washington Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Depends on gross annual income:
Non-resident businesses should only include gross annual income earned within Vancouver and employees working in Vancouver when calculating fees. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Depends on gross annual income:
Non-resident businesses should only include gross annual income earned within Vancouver and employees working in Vancouver when calculating fees. |
Due: | Annually |
Walla Walla Business License
Agency: | City of Walla Walla Development Services Department (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $50 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $50 |
Due: | Annually |
Yakima General Business License
Agency: | Yakima City Business Licensing Service (WA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Depends on the number of full-time employees in Yakima:
|
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Depends on the number of full-time employees in Yakima:
|
Due: | Annually by the date of issuance. |
Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states:
