Business Regulations Department of Finance and Administrative Services - Calvin W. Goings, Director
About business regulations
The City of Seattle regulates several business activities. These businesses require:
- A standard business license tax certificate.
- A regulatory endorsement added to the business license tax certificate.
The application process varies for the different business types requiring a regulatory endorsement. Review the information below for details about license fees and renewal dates. If you need to apply for a business license tax certificate that requires a regulatory endorsement, please contact us.
Business types we regulate
Adult entertainment businesses need a regulatory license. Adult entertainment businesses provide performances of a sexual nature. There are two different license types required for people in the business: entertainer license and manager license. The business also needs a premises license for the building.
The City began issuing new 2021 AE and AE manager licenses on May 4. These licenses are for new participants in the adult entertainment industry or for those who previously participated in the industry but do not hold a 2020 license.
The Seattle Municipal Tower remains closed to the public and licensing will take place at the City's Charles Street complex (805 S. Dearborn Street), by scheduled appointment only. Please call during business hours (206) 386-1267 or email consumerprotection@seattle.gov to make an appointment.
The fees for new 2021 AE and AE manager licenses reflect their issuance at the half-year rate.
The Charles Street facility will be available for AE licensing for a limited time, so we encourage all applicants to make appointments as soon as possible. AE licenses will only be issued to those with a 2021 Seattle Business License Tax Certificate. Applicants must bring a fingerprint card and photo identification to their licensing appointments. They must also complete an Adult Entertainer/Manager Application.
The following local businesses offer fingerprinting services that meet the needs of AE license applicants. Please contact the businesses for cost information and to learn whether an appointment is necessary.
Alliance 2020
304 Main Ave. S., Suite 101, Renton
(425) 275-8065, press option 1
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Bellevue Fingerprinting Service
11900 NE 1st St., Ridgewood Corp. Building G, Bellevue
(425) 603-1033
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Because the City is not able to process license payments at the Charles Street facility, applicants will receive a temporary license at their scheduled appointments. When license payment has been processed by the City, a permanent 2021 license will be sent by mail. If you have questions about this temporary process, please call the phone number above during business hours.
Requests for copies of a 2020 adult entertainer (AE) and manager regulatory license may be sent to consumerprotection@seattle.gov.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All adult entertainers and premises are required to have a 2021 Seattle Business License Tax Certificate. Payments can be made online through FileLocal: https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/. Payments can also be made through the mail. Please include the customer number on the submission. For information on how to renew a business license and file related tax forms, please visit the Business License Tax webpage.
| License type | 2021 Cost | Expires | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Entertainers - need the adult entertainer regulatory license |
$85 | Dec. 31 | Yes |
| Managers - required to have an adult entertainment manager license but not required to have a business license tax certificate. |
$108 | Dec. 31 | Yes |
| Premises - must have an adult entertainment premise regulatory license as well as a Seattle business license tax certificate. |
$905 | Dec. 31 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.270 for legal details about adult entertainment license requirements.
Businesses that monitor alarm systems need a regulatory license. Alarm system monitoring companies that provide the monitoring service pay license fees based on the total number of accounts monitored. See the table below for the fees.
To apply for an alarm system monitoring license, contact the RCCP Alarm Group at FAS_FalseAlarm@seattle.gov. Also see our alarm system monitoring page for additional information.
Alarm system monitoring fees for central stations
| Monitored alarm systems | Annual license fee | License expiration date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 100 | $105 | Dec. 31 |
| 101 to 200 | $209 | Dec. 31 |
| 201 to 500 | $420 | Dec. 31 |
| Over 500 | $523 | Dec. 31 |
Alarm system monitoring companies that maintain a service contract with a customer and then subcontract with another alarm system monitoring company to provide the actual monitoring service pay fees based on the number and type of systems monitored. Fire alarm system fees are determined by building size.
Alarm system monitoring fees for dealers
| Type of system | Annual license fee | License expiration date |
|---|---|---|
| Burglary, Property, Panic, Robbery | $10 per alarm system | Dec. 31 |
| Fire alarm: 1-2 stories and <200,000 sq ft |
$76 per alarm system | Dec. 31 |
| Fire alarm: 3-4 stories and <200,000 sq ft |
$223 per alarm system | Dec. 31 |
| Fire alarm: 5+ stories or >200,000 sq ft |
$693 per alarm system | Dec. 31 |
False alarm fees
Alarm system monitoring companies must pay a fee each time there is a false alarm. There is no false alarm fee for fire alarms. For more information, see the Seattle police department false alarm program.
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.10 for legal details about alarm system monitoring license requirements.
All-ages dances, which admit youth under 18-years-old, need a regulatory license.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Ages Dance | $120 per year | Sept. 30 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.295 for legal details about all-ages dances license requirements.
Amusement devices need a regulatory license. Amusement devices include pool tables, shuffleboard tables, jukeboxes, arcade games, pinball machines, kiddie rides and any other entertainment device that the public can pay to use.
| Amusement device license type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-coin | $500 per year | Nov. 30 | Yes |
| $0.25 to $0.50 to play | $50 per device | Nov. 30 | Yes |
| $0.51 to $1.00 to play | $100 per device | Nov. 30 | Yes |
| $1.01 to $1.50 to play | $150 per device | Nov. 30 | Yes |
| $1.51 to $2.00 to play | $200 per device | Nov. 30 | Yes |
| $2.00 or more to play | minimum price per play multiplied by the number of devices (max $1,500 per machine) | Nov. 30 | Yes |
| Darts, countertop devices | $25 per device | Nov. 30 | Yes |
| Shuffleboard, pool, billiards | $25 per device | Nov. 30 | Yes |
| Jukebox or other music device | $50 per device | Nov. 30 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 5.32 for legal details about amusement device license requirements.
Businesses that sell burglar alarm systems need a regulatory license. Additionally, these businesses must register with the Seattle Police Department.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burglar alarm dealer | $79 per year | Dec. 31 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.08 for legal details about burglar alarm dealer license requirements.
City law requires cannabis businesses located in Seattle and those that come into Seattle to engage in cannabis business activities to obtain a Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) license as well as a Seattle cannabis business license and a Seattle business license tax certificate. No cannabis business is allowed to operate in Seattle without a cannabis business license.
See Tip 5501, Seattle Marijuana Business Licensing Information.
| License type | Cost per location | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business located in Seattle | $3,500 | June 30 | No |
| Business located outside Seattle but doing business in city limits |
$2,000 | June 30 | No |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 6.500 for legal details about cannabis business license requirements.
Horse-drawn carriage businesses need a regulatory license.
| Horse-drawn carriage license type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carriage | $60 per year | March 31 | No |
| Driver | $20 per year | March 31 | No |
| Horse | $60 per year | March 31 | No |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.315 for legal details about horse-drawn carriage license requirements.
Mobile home parks need a regulatory license.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile home park | $55 per year (plus $12.50 per space over 10) | July 31 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 22.904 for legal details about license mobile home park requirements.
Panoram or peepshow businesses need a regulatory license. Panorams and peepshows show live or recorded entertainment to a viewer in a booth or stall.
| Panoram license type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device | $85 per year | Dec. 31 | Yes |
| Location | $85 per year | Dec. 31 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.42 for legal details about panoram license requirements.
Retail stores or businesses that use scanning devices to determine the price of a product by using the universal product codes need a regulatory license. Retailers use the price scanning equipment to determine the sale price for products within the store and ensure the price charged matches the price advertised. For more information, see the Weights and Measures Overview page.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 or fewer devices | $158 per year | March 31 | Yes |
| 4 or more devices | $315 per year | March 31 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 7.04 for legal details about price scanning license requirements.
Public bathhouses and reducing salons need a regulatory license.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public bathhouse | $340 per year | Dec. 31 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.36 for legal details about public bathhouse license requirements.
Parking lot and parking garage businesses need a regulatory license. You must also charge and collect the Seattle commercial parking tax.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public garage or parking lot | $10.25 per 1,000 sq. ft. | March 31 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.48 for legal details about public parking lot and parking garage license requirements.
Businesses that collect or process material that can be recycled need a regulatory license.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collection and processing of recyclables | $105 per year | March 31 | No |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.250 for legal details about recycling collectors and recycling processors license requirements.
Rental housing agencies need a regulatory license.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental housing agency | $5,000 surety bond | Last day of February | No |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.222 for legal details about rental housing agency license requirements.
Residential sellers need a regulatory license. Residential sellers travel from house to house (or door to door) selling goods or services.
| Residential sale license type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agents | $53 per year | May 31 | Yes |
| 1 or more employees | $237 per year | May 31 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.260 for legal details about residential sellers license requirements.
Short-term rental operators and platforms must obtain a regulatory license. A short-term rental is a type of lodging where a home, or a part of a home, is rented for a fee for fewer than 30 consecutive nights. Examples of short-term rentals are those rented through platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO. For more information, see the short-term rentals page.
Operator licenses
| License type | Cost | Expires | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term rental operator | $75 | One year from issue date | No |
| Bed and breakfast operator | $75 | One year from issue date | No |
Platform licenses
Licensing fees for short-term rental platforms are quarterly fees based on the total number of nights booked for short-term rental use through the platform. The City will invoice each licensed short-term rental platform on a quarterly schedule for fee remittance.
For legal details about short-term rental license requirements, see Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 6.600.
Taxis, taxi associations, for-hire vehicles and transportation network companies (TNCs) need a regulatory license. Vehicles affiliated with TNCs need a regulatory endorsement. For more information, see the taxis, for-hires and TNCs page.
Taxis and for-hire vehicles
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxicab or for-hire | $500 per year | June 30 | Yes |
| Taxicab association | $1,000 per year | Dec. 31 | No |
Transportation network companies
Licensing fees for TNCs and affiliated drivers and vehicles are paid via a 14-cent charge on each TNC ride that originates within the Seattle city limits. The City will invoice each licensed TNC on a quarterly schedule for remittance of the fee.
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.310 for legal details about taxi, for-hire and TNC license requirements.
Towing companies that work within Seattle need a regulatory license. Learn about applying to be a licensed tow company.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tow company | $525 per year | Dec. 31 | No |
Trade shows need a regulatory license. Trade shows are temporary events such as home shows, street fairs, community festivals, hobby shows and business fairs. To be considered a trade show, the event must
- Last no more than 14 days.
- Have at least 25 participants.
The organizer of the show is responsible for obtaining a trade show license and listing all show participants on the license application. Please submit both your completed application and license fee at least one business day before the show opens. There is a 10 percent penalty for submitting the application late.
You may have to pay admission tax if you charge a fee to enter the trade show. For more information, see the admission tax page.
Download the trade show license application.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade show | $10 per unlicensed participant | Varies | No |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.20 for legal details about trade show license requirements.
Pawnshop businesses need a regulatory license. If you sell used goods, please contact us for license requirements.
| Used goods license type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dealers | $208 per year | March 31 | Yes |
| Pawnshops | $208 per year | March 31 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.288 for legal details about business license requirements for used goods dealers and pawnshops.
Weighmasters and weighers need a regulatory license. Weighmasters and weighers use scales to correctly weigh products and commodities. For more information, see the weights and measures overview page.
| License type | Cost | Expires on | Half-year license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weigher | None | April 30 | No |
| Weighmaster | $40 per year | April 30 | Yes |
You can read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 7.04.565 for legal details about weighmaster and weigher license requirements.