As of January 1, 2002, Records, Elections and Licensing Services
Division will issue business licenses for businesses
involving animals, for process servers,
and for taxicab and for-hire drivers.
The Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) will issue other business licenses previously administered through Licensing and Regulatory Services. See Specific Business Licenses at DDES for a complete list.
Businesses operating in King County
come under the jurisdiction of State, County, and, where applicable, City regulations. The
location of the business, as well as the nature and scope of the business, determines what
types of business licenses are required.
State License Requirements
All businesses operating in the State of Washington must obtain a Washington State
Master Business License. The Master Business License registers the business for State tax
purposes and registers the trade name. A Uniform Business Identification Number, called a
UBI Number, is assigned. For more information and to request an application, call (360)
664-1400 or look here.
City License Requirements
If your business address or business activity is within the city limits of any city
within King County, a city business license may also be required. For the City of Seattle,
call (206) 684-8484 or look here.
For other cities, look here.
King County Requirements
King County issues business licenses for businesses engaged in a regulated activity within unincorporated King County. Unincorporated areas are those outside of any city
limits. Examples of such regulated activities are amusement parks and places, amusement
devices, bowling alleys, carnivals, go-cart tracks, skating rinks, video games, pool
tables, outdoor and indoor entertainment, dances, adult entertainment establishments,
massage and bathhouse businesses, process servers, secondhand dealers, pawnshops,
charitable organizations, taxicabs and drivers, pet shops, kennels, grooming businesses,
or theaters.
King County does not require a general business license. Unless your business is engaged in a regulated activity within unincorporated King County, no King County license is
required. However, businesses must be in compliance with zoning code regulations. For
information on conducting a business out of your home or other zoning questions for unincorporated King County, please call (206) 296-6600.
All businesses in King County are required to file a personal property
tax affidavit. For information regarding personal property tax assessments
and payment of the tax, please look here.
If your business involves animals such as a pet shop, grooming business, kennel, or
hobby kennel, please call Animal Control at (206) 296-3945 or look here.
