Business License Obtaining Your City of Edmonds Business License

Notice: Business License Fees as of 2009

The City Council adopted Ordinance 3710 increasing the 2009 Business License Fees as follows:

• Fee for a new business license for any business that is not a home occupation:  $125.00
• Fee for a new business license for a home occupation business:  $100.00
• Fee for a non-resident business license (business located out of the city):  $50.00
• Annual fee for a renewal of any business license:  $50.00

The City Clerk's Office welcomes you to the Edmonds business community. We value your membership and look forward to a long association with you.

The business license staff of the City Clerk's Office serves as the coordinating member among the departments that review business license applications. We are your first stop in obtaining your business license. General license information and applications can be printed from this web site or are available in the City Clerk's Office. We are here to assist you in the initial steps of the licensing procedure and we are available at any time during the licensing process.Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The following departments are available to assist you in the licensing process as well as offering continuing services to the business owner. All are committed to helping you through the licensing procedure in the most timely and efficient way possible. Please feel free to contact any of the departments for assistance and information.

The Edmonds City Code, Chapter 4.72.020, requires that you obtain your business license before starting operation of your business. Every effort is made to complete processing of your application within 15 days of the date of receipt. Please complete all requisite applications in full and attach required submittals to avoid delays in the processing of your application. Omissions may cause a delay as the reviewing departments will not have the necessary information to properly evaluate your application. For assistance in obtaining the Washington State Department of Revenue Tax ID Number (UBI Number) for your business, you may contact the local office of the Washington State Department of Revenue at: 9930 Evergreen Way, Suite Y-150, Everett, WA 98204-3893; 425-356-4800.

In addition to the General Business License Application , the following applications and submittals are required:

Commercial Location

• Floor Plan: Please refer to the attached instruction sheet prepared by the Building Division.

Home Occupation

• Business License Application-Home Occupation
• Application For Administrative Home Occupation Permit

Non-Profit

• Copy of the Internal Revenue Service documentation (commonly 501c) granting non-profit status.

Occupation Specific

1. Acupuncture:  Copy of the Washington State Acupuncturist License.
2. Adult Family Home: Copy of the Washington State Adult Family Home License.
3. Child Day Care: Copy of the Washington State Child Day Care License.
4. Massage Therapist: Copy of the Washington State Massage Practitioner License.

Washington State Tax ID Number (UBI NUMBER) Exemption

1. Copy of the Washington State Department of Revenue documentation granting exemption status.

A home occupation is an economic enterprise operated within a residence, or buildings accessory to the residence, including the use of the residence as a business address in the phone directory or as a post office mailing address. The purpose in regulating home occupations is to maintain a residential atmosphere, guaranteeing neighboring residents freedom from excessive noise, traffic, nuisance, fire hazards, and other potential negative impacts.

The City has adopted several criteria to determine appropriate home occupations. If your home occupation proposal meets criteria 1-7 below, an Administrative Home Occupation Permit may be obtained concurrently with your Business License by completing the Application for Administrative Home Occupation and submitting it to the City Clerk's Office with your Business License Application.

If your proposal does not meet these criteria, then you may be able to apply for a Conditional Use Permit to allow your home occupation. Please contact the Planning Department for Conditional Use Permit application information.

Your proposal may also require permits or licenses from other agencies such as Snohomish County or Washington State.

1. The home occupation must be carried on exclusively by a family member residing in the dwelling unit.

2. The home occupation must be conducted entirely within the structures on the site, without any significant outside activity.

3. The home occupation uses no heavy equipment, power tools, or power sources not common to a residence.

4. The home occupation has no pickup or delivery by business related commercial vehicles (except the U.S. Mail), which exceed 20,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

5. The home occupation creates no noise, dust, glare, vibration, odor, smoke, or other impact adverse to a residential area beyond that normally associated with a residential use.

6. The home occupation does not include any employees outside of family members residing at the residence, including but not limited to persons working at or visiting the subject property. No visits are allowed by customers, clients, or other persons purchasing goods or services from the home occupation.

7. The home occupation must comply with all performance criteria established pursuant to ECDC Section 17.60.010.

1. Criteria
   1. A home occupation that does not meet one or more of the criteria for an Administrative Home Occupation Permit may be approved as a Conditional Use Permit, after a public hearing, if the home occupation meets the following criteria:
      1. The home occupation will not harm the character of the neighborhood.
      2. The temporary and permanent keeping of animals associated with the home occupation must comply with all provisions of Chapter 5.05 (Animal Control) of the City Code and Title 16 of the Edmonds Community Development Code.
      3. The home occupation will not include storage, display of goods, building materials and/or the operation of building machinery, commercial vehicles or other tools, unless it meets all of the following criteria:
         • Is wholly enclosed within a structure or building;
         • Does not emit noise,odor or heat;
         • Does not create glare of emit light from the site in violation of the City's performance criteria.
      4. The home occupation does not create a condition that injures or endangers the comfort of, or pose health or safety threats to persons on abutting properties or streets.
      5. The home occupation will not generate traffic from outside of the neighborhood, nor excessive parking beyond that normally associated with a residential use; and all performance criteria established by ECDC 17.60.010 are met.
2. Application Procedures
   1. Obtain the Conditional Use Permit Handout from the Development Services Division.
   2. Conditional Use Permit Application Fee: $1,155.00

Home occupations that depend on the sale or provision of services to persons throughout the City and the region for their economic viability rather than the neighborhood in which they reside are specifically prohibited. The following occupational uses shall be prohibited as home occupations:

1. The offices of any doctor of medicine, dentist, orthodontist, chiropractor, or other health care professional licensed under Washington State (excluding licensed massage therapists).
2. The offices of any person engaged in the practice of law.
3. The offices of any veterinarian.
4. Any structure used for the retail sale of goods, except as expressly permitted by ECDC 20.20.020(E) as an adjunct to a permitted use.

CHANGE OF BUSINESS USE.  Any change in the business “use” in an existing commercial building or a portion thereof, requires at a minimum, a Change of Use Permit.  For example, an office to retail sales, a clock repair shop to a coffee shop, an auto repair shop to a deli, etc.  No Change of Use permit is required when a business changes from an office to an office, retail sales to retail sales, a clock repair shop to a computer repair shop, etc.  If you are unsure if a Change of Use permit is required for your business, please contact the Building Division at (425) 771-0220.  Businesses locating in non-commercial buildings (residential or multifamily) must schedule a meeting with Building Division staff to determine code requirements.  Please note:  even if the building is located in a commercial zone, but was originally constructed as a single family residence or apartment building, in order to locate a business within such a building a meeting with City staff is required.  At any time if remodeling is proposed, a building permit is required.

REMODELING.  If remodeling or alterations are proposed, a Tenant Improvement building permit is required (fees are based on a licensed contractor’s bid for the work).  Tenant improvement means the completion, remodel or alteration of spaces within an exiting commercial building.  Please note, installing plumbing fixtures, mechanical duct work, adding or removing bearing or non-bearing walls, installing windows, skylights or doors all require a building permit and City approval before work can start.  Obtain a Tenant Improvement handout for specific permit submittal requirements.

MISCELLANEOUS PERMITS.  Other permits may also be required for the following:  sign(s), re-roof, fence, mechanical, plumbing, fire alarm, fire sprinkler, etc.

AUTHORIZED AGENT FOR OBTAINING A PERMIT. When a building permit is required only the owner of the building or a State licensed contractor may sign for the permit and perform any permitted work.  A lessee or tenant, under State law, may not obtain a permit or perform work on a building that they do not own—regardless of lease contract language.  Failure to obtain the required permit shall result in a minimum of double permit fees being assessed or $205.00 whichever is greater.

Note: A Change of Use permit, tenant improvement permit or issuance of the City Business License is the verification that the proposed business space meets the minimum building code requirements for the intended use. Any alteration to a building with a TOTAL square footage that exceeds 4000sq ft, must have plans stamped by a licensed architect/engineer in the State of Washington.

PUBLIC HANDOUTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE CITY HALL BUILDING OR CALL THE BUILDING DIVISION AT (425) 771-0220.  The purpose of this handout is to provide general information.  All applicants are advised to meet with City staff for specific information and requirements.

General Requirements for Businesses

Fire Extinguisher: Every occupancy is required to have access to a minimum of one fire extinguisher. They shall be located so that one is within 30 feet travel distance from any point in a building. The minimum size is 2A:10B:C. Larger fire extinguishers may be required in hazardous areas such as kitchens, gas stations, repair garages, manufacturing areas, etc. All fire extinguishers require annual service in order to ensure proper operation when required.

Extension Cords: Extension cords are permitted only with portable appliances or fixtures while in IMMEDIATE use. Power taps (strip plugs with integral circuit breakers) can be used for small appliances at all times. Power taps must be plugged directly into a wall outlet.

Waste Containers: Provide metal waste containers instead of plastic receptacles in lunchrooms and break rooms. Provide at least one metal container with a tight fitting lid for the safe disposal of cigarette ends and ashes, where smoking is permitted.

Address: Post and maintain the building address in a contrasting color to the building and in a conspicuous place near the principal entrance, visible from the street. Numbers shall be easily legible and no less than six inches high.

Fire Permits: Fire permits are required for the following occupancies: public assembly, dry cleaning plants, repair garages, wrecking yards, etc. Fire permits are required for certain potential hazardous processes: flammable and combustible liquids, spraying operations, compressed gasses, hazardous chemicals and similar storage or handling.

During the business license review process, the Fire Prevention Bureau will inspect your business and advise you of any additional requirements. Fire prevention inspections will be conducted annually for all commercial and multifamily residential occupancies. Some home businesses may require annual inspections. If you have questions about the above requirements or wish more information regarding Fire Code regulations, please contact the Fire Prevention Officer at 425-771-0215, Ext. 1301, Monday through Friday.

Prior to applying for a City of Edmonds Business License, please contact the Planning Department to verify that your business is allowed in the zoning district for which it is located, and that there is an adequate number of parking stalls for your type of business. You may need to provide a floor plan and site plan showing the number of existing parking stalls to determine code compliance. See Home Occupation Permit regulations for businesses located in single-family or multifamily zones.

Architectural Design Review Board
All development including new structures, additions, remodels, and exterior changes such as color, landscaping, signs, lighting, and street furniture must first receive approval from the Architectural Design Board. A handout regarding this process is available in the lobby of the Development Services Department.

Temporary Signs
A temporary sign is one that is not permanently attached to the site and advertises an event that is occurring or will occur, or a product or service that is available for a short, limited period of time.

General Regulations:
Temporary signs are not allowed to continually advertise goods, services, or events on a site (permanent signs shall be used for that purpose). Unless specified in the table below, no temporary sign shall exceed ten square feet. All signs must be placed on the property where the business is located and are not allowed within the developed or undeveloped public right-of-way, including sidewalk areas. Trailer signs, ribbons, streamers and spinners are specifically prohibited by the code.

Signs that do not fit within the above temporary sign regulations are considered permanent signs and require a permit and approval by the Architectural Design Board. Permanent sign size and height are regulated by zoning district. Please contact the Planning Department for more information regarding permanent signs.

The Police Department is charged with conducting background investigations of business license applicants. Certain information is required of applicants in order to facilitate this process. Without the information, the investigation cannot be completed and the license will not be issued.

Following is a brief synopsis of information necessary for completion of the investigation, as well as some information regarding additional licensing requirements for certain types of businesses.

Sole Proprietorship: The owner must supply complete identifying data; i.e., last name, first name, middle initial, and birth date (month/day/year).

Partnership: List the names and other requested identifying information of both partners. Again, this information is required in order for the application to be processed.

Corporation: List all corporate officers as requested, and identify each by last name, first name, middle initial and date of birth.

Emergency Notification: Emergency contact persons must be willing to respond to the business at odd hours in case of emergency, and should be owners or management personnel who have access to the business, can shut off alarms, and will know if anything is out of the ordinary. Persons living within close proximity to the business can respond more quickly in case of a burglary, fire, or other problems at the business. They may be asked to open the business to allow officers to search for burglars, shut off an alarm, or inspect for damage. It is important that they be willing and able to address these areas.

Instructions on Obtaining Your City of Edmonds Business License

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