Licensing information for specific business types
Businesses based outside Seattle
<p>If your business is based outside Seattle and you do business within the city, then you must have a Seattle business license. In other words, you need a license for where you conduct business; not just for where you're located.</p>
Subcontractors
<p>Subcontractors need a Seattle business license even if the contractor who they are working with already has one. The license is valid only for the legal owner listed on it.</p>
Nonprofits
<p>If you raise funds in Seattle, whether as a for-profit or nonprofit organization, you must have a Seattle business license.</p>
Online-only business
<p>Contact us if you have questions about licensing for online-only businesses. You may need a Seattle business license if your business originates from Seattle or has servers within city limits.</p>
Home-based business
<p>Businesses based in a Seattle home usually need a Seattle business license. Contact us if you have questions about licensing for home-based businesses.</p>
Street/sidewalk vending
<p style="text-align: left;">In addition to a regular Seattle business license, to operate a vending service you may need a street use permit, which is issued through the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). Requirements for vending businesses vary based on what and where you are selling. For more information, see <a href="/transportation/permits-and-services/permits/vending-permits" title="Vending Permits">SDOT's Vending Permits page</a>.</p>