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Licensing Information Business Licenses All persons engaging in business activity in the City of Seattle are required to obtain a business license. The license is for the privilege of engaging in business. See definition of “Engaging in business” at Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Section 5.30.030. In addition, most businesses that engage in business with The City of Seattle
are required to obtain a business license.* This applies whether or not
the business engages in other business activity within Seattle. See “Doing business with the City” at
SMC Section 5.45.060. To obtain an initial Seattle business license, the taxpayer completes the business license application and submits it with a payment of $90 (or $45 for the first-year license if you start your business after June 30). Starting in fall 2007, businesses will be able to to complete and submit the initial business license application on-line. Seattle business licenses are issued for a calendar year, and must be renewed each year by December 31. Licenses are $90 per year. Branch licenses (for additional business locations) are $10 per year per branch location. Small businesses (with worldwide gross income and/or value of products of $20,000 or less in the current calendar year) pay $45 for the annual license fee ($22.50 if the business is started after June 30). If the worldwide gross exceeds the $20,000 threshold during the calendar year, the business will be required to pay the balance for $90 license fee. If your business premises will be located within the city limits and you are uncertain about zoning restrictions, please contact the Department of Planning and Development at (206) 684-8850. Regulatory Licenses Regulatory license are listed on a business license as an additional endorsement. Examples of regulatory licenses include taxicab licenses, alarm-monitoring company licenses, and adult entertainment licenses. For a list of Seattle regulatory licenses, click here. Regulatory licenses have separate application and renewal forms. Businesses will be required to provide additional information concerning the type of business the licensee is operating. Persons requiring a regulatory license are also required to maintain a Seattle business license. If you need a particular regulatory license, please contact us.
Location of Offices: Revenue and Consumer Affairs Division The office is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Telephone: (206) 684-8484 E-mail: rca.bizlictx@seattle.gov Mailing address: The material in this site is intended for general informational purposes only. While it is current at the time of publication, changes to the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) or state law may invalidate some of this information. In the event of a conflict between this guide and the SMC, the SMC prevails. |
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