Welcome. The City is pleased that you have chosen Tukwila as the place to operate your business. The Finance Department is available to assist you with your business license application. A city business license is required prior to opening a business. Please read the “Frequently Asked Questions” about Tukwila’s Business License Program.
Per Tukwila Municipal Code 5.04.015, No person or persons shall conduct, maintain, operate or engage in any business within the City
without first applying for and obtaining a business license and paying the fee(s) as prescribed herein unless the business is exempt.
The exemption is only from the need to pay a fee for issuance of the business license and shall not be construed as relief from
compliance with other requirements of the Tukwila Municipal Code. All businesses operating within the City are required to submit a
business license application or renewal, as appropriate, regardless of whether a business license fee is due to the City.
Business license fees help pay for services that businesses need including those provided through the City’s Public Safety Programs.
To learn more about why the City collects a business license fee, and what services are supported by the fee read the “License Fee
Supports Business Services” handout.
Business Licenses are valid January 1 – December 31
- All Licenses expire December 31
- Licenses are not pro-rated; the fee for a full 12 months shall be paid regardless of how long the business has been open.
- You must have a valid UBI # (Unified Business Identifier also known as the State License #) in order to apply for a City Business License.
♦ View or print the 2012 Business License Application Form
(Use this form ONLY for businesses opening on/after December 1, 2011)
♦ View or print the 2012 Out of City Business License Application Form
(Use this form ONLY for businesses located outside of Tukwila doing business in Tukwila)
♦ View or print the 2011 Business License Application Form
(Use this form ONLY for businesses that were openned on/before November 30, 2011)
Currently we do not accept applications on-line. Please print and complete the form.
Residential Rental Business Licenses
Looking for Residential Rental Business Licenses? Please visit our Residential Rental Licensing & Inspections Program section.
Fee Structure for Business Licenses
The license fee for the annual license issued shall be $67.00 per full-time equivalent (FTE) employee consisting of a $12.00 per FTE business license fee plus a $55.00 per FTE Revenue Generating Regulatory License (RGRL) fee. The application must be accompanied by payment for the amount of the license fee.
- One Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) employee = 1,920 hours
- You may estimate for a 12 month period or use last year’s total 12 month reported hours
- If business is located outside of Tukwila, report only those hours worked in Tukwila
To calculate the fee:
- First determine the total number of hours for all employees, managers and owners for a 12 month period.
- Multiply the number of hours by $0.034896.
- If less than $67, pay $67 minimum license fee.
- If greater than $67, pay the greater amount.
Example: Your business has 5 Full-time and 6 Part-Time employees/managers/owners The total number of hours worked in a 12 month period = 15,360 hrs. 15,360 x $0.034896 = $536.00 (this is the amount of your license fee)
Payments Types
Payments may be made by cash, check (payable to City of Tukwila), or credit card (Mastercard or Visa)
Please contact us at 206-431-3680 or at licensing@tukwilawa.gov with any questions regarding your business license.
Approval Process
Please be advised that your submission is an application only, NOT a license to conduct business. You will not be issued a
temporary license and you should not consider your business registered until the licensing process is complete. In most cases,
you will be issued (or denied) your business license within 15 to 30 days. Upon receipt of the business license, it is to be
prominently displayed at your place of business in Tukwila.
Upon receipt, your application will be routed to various City departments for review. The following criteria may be used
during the departmental review process. If you have any questions regarding this review, please feel free to contact the
appropriate department with your questions.
Finance Department (206-431-3680): Reviews applications for completeness and to determine if any supplemental licenses are
required and/or if state business license requirements have been met.
Planning Department (206-431-3670: Reviews application to determine if the proposed use is permitted in the zone where it
will be located. They will also review to determine if there is appropriate parking and that no other land use applications
are required. Please note that the installation of any signs requires the approval of a sign permit. You are encouraged
to talk with Planning staff prior to opening a new enterprise so that they can assist you with any permitting issues.
Building Department (206-431-3675): Reviews the application for conformance with the International Building Code.
Fire Department (206-575-4404): Will inspect those businesses where the nature of operations warrants a site inspection
to ascertain conformance with fire code regulations and building compatibility (i.e. premise is suitable for the business
activities being licensed).
Police Department (206-433-1808): Uses the license application information for emergency notification in the case of
nighttime break-in or triggered alarm.
Changes in Business Use, Name Change, UBI Change, Address Change
If your business has any of the above listed changes, you are responsible to notify the City immediately by completing a new
Business License Application. See application link above.
You may mail or deliver the completed application and the appropriate business license fee to:
City of Tukwila, 6200 Southcenter Blvd., Tukwila, WA 98188
Additional licenses are required if your business has live music/entertainment, tow trucks, amusement devices,
if you are a solicitor/peddler or are an adult entertainer.
Any retail sales tax generated in Tukwila needs to be reported to the Washington State Department of Revenue, under sales tax code #1729.
