Business Registration & Licensing
The City of Kenmore requires all businesses located in the City to register for and maintain a city business license.
The City of Kenmore requires businesses conducting business within the City limits, to register for and maintain a city business license.
Register for City Business License
The City has partnered with the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR), Business Licensing Service, to issue City business licenses. This combined licensing system allows the business owner to meet the local and state requirements with one transaction. A City license will be added to your State Master License as an addendum.
You can apply for a State business license and a City business license:
Online: https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license. Online applications are typically processed within two business days. For assistance, contact the Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service at 360-705-6741.
By mail: Complete the Business License Application, along with any additional forms, and payment to the address on the form. Mailed applications can take up to six weeks to process.
In person: Business Licensing Service office. If you have any questions, contact Business Licensing Service at 360-705-6741.
For Kenmore business license questions, please contact the City of Kenmore at (425) 398-8900.
Exemptions
The following business types are exempt from the Business Registration requirement.
- Minors
- Schools and Universities
- Churches
- Farmers selling their own products
- Government agencies
Business Registration and Licensing Fees
The City of Kenmore business registration fee structure updated on January 1, 2024, as follows,
Businesses reporting an annual gross business income of $12,000 or less qualify for a fee-free registration. The City's registration fee is $0 for these businesses.
Businesses reporting over $12,000 in annual gross business income, will be charged a $10.00 registration fee.
Non-Resident Business License: If your business is physically located outside city limits, but conducts business within city limits, your license fee is determined by gross annual income earned within this city's limits, using the same income threshold as Kenmore businesses (see above).
Fee Schedule
The registration fee is based on state reported business income earned in Kenmore. City registration fee is $10 for business reporting over $12,000.
| Type of Registration |
Kenmore
Fee
Business income at or
under threshold
|
Kenmore Fee
Business
income
over threshold
|
DOR-BLS Admin Fee
|
Total Fee
|
| New or Re-opened Business Located in Kenmore |
$0 |
$10 |
$50 |
$60 |
| Additional Location in Kenmore |
$0 |
$10 |
$0 |
$10 |
| Existing Kenmore businesses, Initial Registration |
$0 |
$10 |
$10 |
$20 |
| Business Registration Annual Renewal |
$0 |
$10 |
$5 |
$15 |
| New or Re-opened Kenmore Nonprofit Organization |
$0 |
$0 |
$50 |
$50 |
| Existing Kenmore Nonprofit Organization, Initial Registration |
$0 |
$0 |
$10 |
$10 |
| Nonprofit Organization Registration Renewal |
$0 |
$0 |
$5 |
$5 |
| Non-Resident Business Registration |
$0 |
$10 |
|
|
Registered businesses may add their business to the Kenmore Business Directory, www.FindKenmore.org.
For more information, contact Teresa McAllister at tmcallister@kenmorewa.gov.
The Home Occupation checklist and questionnaire is intended for applicants to verify the home occupation development standards prescribed in Kenmore Municipal Code Chapter KMC 18.73.110 are satisfied. Additional information may be requested by the City, if necessary.
A home occupation is not intended for home businesses which are conducted primarily through the internet (i.e. Youtube channel, eBay), where there are no customers on site and where the business owner is the only employee.
Upon receipt of the Home Occupation checklist, the City of Kenmore will review the information to confirm the home occupation standards are being met. A home occupation approval is not a business license.
Email form to permittech@kenmorewa.gov.
Home Occupation Checklist Form No. 221
