WA State Licensing: Port Townsend city business license

City of Port Townsend license

Who needs a license?

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 of Port Townsend 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.

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.



  • Mail us the appropriate fee with the following completed forms:


    Mail your completed application, supplemental forms, and a check or money order payable to “Department of Revenue” for the fees to:


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


Fees

City license Fee
Port Townsend general business license $33**
Port Townsend nonprofit business license* $0
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.


**Effective January 1, 2018, the city of Port Townsend has updated its business license fee schedule. Fee calculations shall be 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. The state Business Licensing Service will collect $33 license applications or $30 for annual renewals. Any balance due will be collected by the city.

 

More information is at http://www.cityofpt.us/finance/businesslicense.html

 

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