In addition to state licensing requirements, entrepreneurs may need to comply with city and/or county licensing requirements for each operation. Businesses operating in Seattle come under the jurisdiction of King County and City of Seattle regulations.

King County

King County does not require a general business license. Any business operating within the city limits of any of the major cities within King County is required to have a city business license (see below). However, if a business is located in unincorporated King County – an area outside of city limits – and engages in a regulated activity, a King County regulatory license must be obtained for each regulated activity. The King County Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) issues most licenses to businesses engaged in regulated
activities.

For further information on regulated business activities in unincorporated King County see: http://www.metrokc.gov/ddes/business/faq.shtm

DDES may also be contacted at (206) 296-6600.

City of Seattle.

• Business License. Each business engaging in business activities in Seattle must obtain and annually renew a city business license unless the business activity is specifically exempted from licensing and taxes. Anyone engaging in business activities within Seattle is required to obtain a Seattle business license whether or not a place of business is maintained within city limits. A branch business license is required for each additional venue doing business. The Revenue and Consumer Affairs (RCA) Division of the Department of Executive Administration is responsible for business licensing.

For further information about the issuance of city business licenses or to obtain a business license application form, see: http://www.seattle.gov/rca/licenses/licmain.htm

RCA may also be contacted at (206) 684-8850.

• Regulatory License. The city of Seattle further regulates specific business activities and requires entrepreneurs to obtain a City of Seattle regulatory license for each regulated activity. Unless the business activity is specifically exempted, the entrepreneur must obtain a city business license in addition to the City of Seattle regulatory license(s). RCA is responsible for issuing regulatory licenses.

For further information on regulated business activities in Seattle see:
http://www.seattle.gov/rca/licenses/regulatory.htm