WA State Licensing: Port Townsend city business license

City of Port Townsend license

Who needs a license?

The city of Port Townsend requires all businesses to be licensed with the city if they are:

  • Located within city limits, or
  • Conducting business within city limits.

Call the city at (360) 385-2700 before applying if you are not sure if you will do business within the city limits.

 

If more than one business is located in a single premise, you must complete a separate registration for each business conducted.

Nonprofit businesses

*Nonprofit businesses must be licensed. A no-fee business license is available for businesses that have been granted a 501(C) tax exemption by the IRS.

Home businesses

A business owner who intends to conduct business from a residence within the city must comply with Port Townsend Municipal Code 17.56.

Exempt businesses

Some businesses may be exempt from getting a city business license. For more information, please contact the city directly.

Non-Resident businesses

Fees are based on either the previous year’s gross receipts (minus deductions allowed under the PTMC 5.04A.100) or on the business’s estimated gross receipts for the license year earned within the city limits of Port Townsend.

Reported gross annual income License fee
$0 through $2,000 No fee
$2,001 through $19,999 $33
$20,000 through $99,999 $78
$100,000 + $78

Fees include a one-time $3 records retention fee for new business applications.

Fees

Fees are based on either the previous year’s gross receipts (minus deductions allowed under the PTMC 5.04A.100) or on the business’s estimated gross receipts for the license year earned within the city limits of Port Townsend.

City license Fee
Port Townsend general business license - $0 through $19,999 $33
Port Townsend general business license - $20,000 through $99,999 $78
Port Townsend general business license - $100,000 + $78
Port Townsend nonprofit business license* $0

Fees include a one-time $3 records retention fee for new business applications.

Other fees that may apply Fee
State tax registration No fee
Registering your business name as trade name $5
Business License Application fee $19 (non-refundable)


*Nonprofit businesses qualify for the nonprofit license if they submit a copy of the business' IRS 501(c) certificate with their application and are exempt from the city fees.

 

How to apply

Apply by using one of the following options:

  • Online with My DOR. My DOR works best with Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

    1. Login using your Secure Access Washington (SAW) user ID. If you don’t have a user ID or aren’t sure, see if you have an account first before signing up.
    2. Click Getting Started on the Business Licensing and Tax service.
    3. Follow the steps below based on your business status.

    If you do not have an existing business

      1. Click File New Business License Application. Be sure to select the endorsements for which you wish to apply.


    If you have an existing business

      1. If you haven’t already, add access to your business. You’ll need a UBI number and letter ID.
      2. Click on the business you want to apply for a license/endorsement under, then click on the location.
      3. Click File New Business License Application.

    You can pay using an E-check or a major credit card (gift cards can’t be used).


    Find more help for using My DOR, including video tutorials.



Contact information

State of Washington
Business Licensing Service
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034

 

Phone: 1-800-451-7985
Email: BLS@dor.wa.gov
Fax: 360-705-6699

Office hours

Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Regulatory questions

City of Port Townsend
250 Madison Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368-5738

 

Phone: 360-385-2700
Fax: 360-379-4440
www.cityofpt.us