Small business is important to Seattle and to the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). If you are moving your business into a new space or expanding in your current location, you will likely need a permit from DPD for the construction work and/or to establish the use.

The DPD Small Business website is designed to inform and guide small business owners through DPD’s permit process.

This site will provide information on the Small Business Permit Process, Permit Types, Related Resources, Related Links and a list of Key Contacts. Once you finish reading through this site, you should be ready to prepare your submittal documents, apply for a building permit, access DPD resources and assistance, learn what fees will be charged, estimate how long the process will likely take, track permit status, and initiate inspections.

DPD strongly urges you to visit the Applicant Services Center (ASC) early in your preparations and encourages potential business owners to seek assistance from a design professional or other community organization that may help applicants with their permitting process. If at all possible, discuss your business plans with DPD before you lease or buy new space.

Researching your project with DPD may uncover issues that will require your special attention.

Many small business permits can be processed on a 48-hour or subject-to-field inspection basis. Others, however, may require in-depth plan review or involve a discretionary component, such as environmental review, both of which will add to the review time for your permit. Permits from other departments may also be needed.

To get a business license in Seattle, please contact the City of Seattle Department of Executive Administration at (206) 684-8484.