Government
Contact Information:
Tukwila Finance Dept.
6200 Southcenter Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188
Phone: 206 433-1835
Fax: 206 433-1833
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Business Licensing
City of Tukwila Business Licenses will transfer to the State BLS System effective March 28, 2019
We are pleased to announce that the City of Tukwila has partnered with the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service (BLS) effective March 28, 2019. From this day forward, BLS will process all City of Tukwila’s business licenses and renewals.
Follow this link to learn more about the transition.
• Renew my 2019 Business License
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.
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.
Issued Business Licenses
- Issued Business Licenses – Sorted by Business Name
- Issued Business Licenses – Sorted by NAICS Description
- Issued Business Licenses – Sorted by DATE
Business License Forms
All new business license applicants will need to go to Washington State Business License Service. You can call 1-800-451-7985 for questions.
- Sign Contractor’s Affidavit of Acknowledgment
(This form is required to be completed by all Sign Installers and must be submitted with their business license application. By completing the affidavit they are stating that they have read and understand TMC – Title 19 Sign Code.) - Home Occupation Affidavit
(Must complete if operating a business from your residence within the city limits of Tukwila) - Permission for Business to Use Private Property
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)
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.