FAQs

• What do I need to do before I apply for a business license?
• Do I need a business license?
• How do I apply for a business license?
• What are the fees associated with a business license?
• Do I qualify for a reduced-fee license?
• Do I need a business site evaluation?
• What special permits do I need for a restaurant business?
• How do I apply for a temporary license?
• Do I need a peddler designation?
• How do I apply for a peddler designation?
• Who can I contact if I have further questions?

What do I need to do before I apply for a business license?

You have many decisions you need to make before you apply for a business license.

The following are some resources to help you get started.

State Resources
Doing business in Washington
Master Business License
Dept of Labor & Industries
Dept of Revenue
Employment Security Dept
Secretary of State
Gambling Commission
Liquor Control Board

Federal Resources
Internal Revenue Service
US Small Business Administration
Service Corps of Retired Execs (SCORE)
US Patent & Trademark Office

How do I apply for a business license?

On-line
At this time, we are not set up to take applications on-line. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please print the application, fill out and mail with the license fee to:
City of Spokane
Treasurer’s Office
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201

In Person
Please print the application, fill out and bring with you to:
City of Spokane
Treasurer’s Office
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201

The application process for a business license takes 20-30 minutes.

Hours of operation:
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Except for Holidays

By Mail
Please print the application, fill out and mail with the license fee to:
City of Spokane
Treasurer’s Office
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201

What are the fees associated with a business license?

BUSINESS LICENSE FEE CALCULATION

BASE FEE: $60.00 per 12 month period

TEMPORARY LICENSE: $35.00 for first 90 days, $25.00 to renew for additional 90 days if renewed within the first 90 day license period.

TRANSFER FEE: $10.00 is due whenever there is a CHANGE of ownership, name or location to include change of suite in the same building.

BRANCH FEE: $10.00 for each additional location and/or each unique name inside the City of Spokane. Mobile carts or other mobile units from which business is conducted is considered an additional location.

PERSONNEL FEE:

Personnel Definition:
Any person employed by or at any business within the City and/or persons who perform any part of their duties within the City of Spokane.
NOTE: Sole proprietors and spouses are NOT personnel under this definition.

Personnel include:

• All officers, agents, dealers, LLC members, etc. of a corporation or business trust.
• Partners (fee applies to every partner over one.)
• Each part-time and each temporary person must be included in personnel count / fee.

*Per Person Fee is based on the total number of personnel working within the City of Spokane.

BUSINESS SITE EVALUATION FEE: Site evaluation fees apply ONLY to businesses located within the City limits with any of the following criteria:

• new businesses, or
• new business owners, or
• relocated businesses, or
• additional sites for an existing business, or
• if customers visit a business located at a residence.

Calculate fee based on each new business or location.

Do I qualify for a reduced-fee license?

Taxpayers whose gross business revenues do not exceed $12,000 per calendar year are "eligible persons" entitled to a reduced business license fee. You must provide IRS filed documents as proof of gross revenues. For computation of gross revenues, revenue from outside the city is included. Gross revenues means the revenues to the taxpaying entity and are not computed separately for each individual partner, principal, employee, or other constituent part of the taxpayer. Please call (509) 625-6070 if you have further questions.

Do I need a business site evaluation?

Site evaluation fees apply ONLY to businesses located within the City limits with any of the following criteria:

• new businesses, or
• new business owners, or
• relocated businesses, or
• additional sites for an existing business, or
• if customers visit a business located at a residence. 

What special permits do I need for a restaurant business?

For information on Food Service and On-site Waste Disposal System Permits, visit the Spokane Regional Health District website.

How do I apply for a temporary license?

Businesses engaging in business in the City for a period of ninety days or less within a twelve-month period, or businesses without any permanent location either within or without the City, may obtain a temporary business license in lieu of a regular business license. (SMC 10.40.010)

Temporary licenses are good for 90 days. Please fill out a Business License application and select "Temporary License" for the type of license on the second page.

A temporary license is $35.00 for first 90 days.

Renewal
If you find you will be operating your business more than the 90 days, you may renew for an additional 90 day period.

• If you renew prior to the expiration of the original 90 day license, your renewal fee is $25.00.
• If you renew after the expiration date, the fee is $35.00.

You may want to consider applying for a regular business license if you expect to be in business for over 90 days.

A business site evaluation fee may also apply.

Do I need a peddler designation?

A business with a regular or temporary business license must have a special designation as “peddler” under any of the following circumstances:

• Where the person is eligible for a temporary business license, and is engaged in the business of selling or delivering goods or services within the City from a fixed or temporary location as an itinerant vendor. Examples are people selling food or wares from mobile carts on the sidewalk or roving vehicles in the streets.
• Where the person travels from door to door as the principle means of conducting business offering, exposing for sale, or selling within the City any goods, merchandise, service or product.
• Where the person engages in any business in the City with no permanent location.

Cross-Reference with Spokane Municipal Code 

How do I apply for a peddler designation?

You must identify on your business license application that the business is one that requires a peddler designation as listed above.

Check "Peddler Endorsement" on the business license application:

• Where the person is eligible for a temporary business license, and is engaged in the business of selling or delivering goods or services within the City from a fixed or temporary location as an itinerant vendor. Examples are people selling food or wares from mobile carts on the sidewalk or roving vehicles in the streets.
• Where the person travels from door to door as the principle means of conducting business offering, exposing for sale, or selling within the City any goods, merchandise, service or product.
• Where the person engages in any business in the City with no permanent location.

Who can I contact if I have further questions?

We are located on the 1st floor of City Hall in downtown Spokane.

Contact Information can be found on the menu bar on the left.