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Business licenses
Information about when a King County business license is required and how to apply if you need one.
You will only need a King County business license if you:
- Operate a business engaged in a regulated activity, and
- Your business is within unincorporated King County (areas outside any city limits)
Many King County business licenses must be renewed each year.
If you need a King County business license, you will also need a Washington state master business license.
Businesses operating in King County come under the jurisdiction of State, County, and, where applicable, City regulations.
The State of Washington requires that all businesses operating in the State get a State of Washington master business license. Additionally, if your business is located or operating within city limits, please contact the appropriate city department.
Regulated activities
Most King County business licenses are issued by the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division. These include business licenses for:
- Adult beverage
- Amusement/dance places
- Amusement devices
- Carnivals
- Charitable solicitation
- Entertainers and managers
- Go-cart tracks
- Junk shops and wagons
- Massage and bathhouse licenses
- Outdoor musical entertainment licenses
- Pawnshops
- Retail marijuana
- Secondhand dealers
- Shooting ranges
- Theaters
Learn more about these types of businesses licenses and how to apply
Other groups in King County also issue business licenses/permits for:
Business license zoning
Business premises located within unincorporated King County must be compatible with the zoning or permitted uses allowed.
Regulated businesses must comply with all zoning requirements of each location. Zoning requirements may differ from location to location.
Violations are subject to code enforcement action.
Learn about zoning codes in unincorporated King County
Zoning and home businesses
Unless a home business in unincorporated King County is engaged in a regulated activity, no special license is required (King County Code Title 6).
However, the business must be in compliance with applicable home occupation zoning requirements. Those requirements include provisions so that the business does not adversely affect the surrounding area.
Zoning guidelines for home occupations are listed in the King County Code 21A.30.80 21A.30.90
If you have questions about zoning, please contact Permits customer service.
Personal property taxes
Businesses operating in unincorporated King County come under the jurisdiction of Washington State and King County. Business owners are responsible for compliance with current applicable tax laws.
All businesses in King County are required to file a personal property tax affidavit.