City of Tacoma                                                                                            Sent By______________ Date______________
                                                                                                          Finance Department/Tax & License Division
                                                                                                          733 Market Street, Room 21, Tacoma, WA 98402-3770
                                                                                                          (253) 591-5252 • www.cityoftacoma.org/businesslicense                                                     Contract Account _______________________

                                                                                                                                APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AND LICENSING
                                                                                                                                                            Title 6 of the Tacoma Municipal Code, as amended.
Yes   ❐ No                                                                                                ❐                   Have you ever been registered as a business with the City of IfTacoma?yes, what is the Name and Address of your previous business 
                                                                                                                              Name  ______________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________   
Yes   ❐ No                                                                                                ❐                   Purchasing an existing business? If yes, what is the Name, Address & Phone Number of previous owner. 
                                                                                                                              Name _______________________________________ Address ____________________________________ Phone  _________________________
Yes   ❐ No                                                                                                ❐                   Are you currently a Tacoma Public Utilities Customer? If yes, enter your account # ____________________________________________
                                                                                                                              and complete Commercial and Industrial Surveys on the next page. 
Yes   ❐ No                                                                                                ❐                   Have you contacted the City's Building and Land Use Services to ensure your business location and activity meet the
                         City's Zoning requirements? If no, please call (253) 591-5577
Yes   ❐ No                                                                                                ❐                   Have you contacted the City of Tacoma's Fire Department to ensure your business location and activity meet the City's   
                                                                                                                              Fire requirements? If no, please call (253) 591-5740
                                                                                     **CITY ZONING AND FIRE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET BEFORE BUSINESS ACTIVITY COMMENCES IN THE CITY OF TACOMA**
                                                                                                                           Sole owner      ❐Date of birth ______-____-_______  
                                                                                                                           Full legal name of owner ______________________________________________________________________________ SSN ____________________
                                                                                                                           Full legal name of spouse _____________________________________________________________________________ SSN ____________________
                                                                                                                           Home address __________________________________________________________City ___________ State  ________  Zip  ___________________
                                                                                                                           Phone  (______) ______ - ________  Work Phone  (______) ______ - ________  E-mail Address __________________________________________ 
                                                                                                                           LLC      ❐ Partnership      ❐ Corporation ❐ (Please complete Section A)
                                                                                                                           Name of LLC, partnership, or corporation _______________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                          (Choose only one)
                                                                                                                           Business Phone (______) ______ - ________ Business Fax # (______) ______ - ________  Cellular Phone #  (______) ______ - ________
                                                                                                                           E-Mail Address  _________________________________________________________
                                                                    Type of Ownership
                                                                                                                           Physical location  _____________________________________________________________ City__________________ State _____ Zip_________
                                                                                                                                                          (# & street — DO NOT use PO Box or Mail Drop)
                                                                                                                           Mailing Address   _____________________________________________________________ City__________________ State _____ Zip_________
                                                                                                                           State UBI #  ___________________ Federal EI #   ______________________________ State Professional License  _____________________

                                                                                                                                                                                SECTION A

                                                                                                                           Name  ________________________________________________ Title __________________________________________________________________  
                                                                                                                           Home address ___________________________________________________ City ________________________ State ______  Zip_________________
                                                                                                                           Social Security #______-____-_______    Home phone  _______________________
                                                                                                                           Name  ________________________________________________ Title __________________________________________________________________  
                                                                                                                           Home address ___________________________________________________ City ________________________ State ______  Zip ________________
                                                                                                                           Social Security #______-____-_______    Home phone  _______________________
                                                                                     Officers or Partners                  Name  ________________________________________________ Title __________________________________________________________________  
                        Corporate Officers, LLC                                                                            Home address ___________________________________________________ City ________________________ State ______  Zip ________________
                                                                                                                           Social Security #______-____-_______    Home phone  _______________________

                                                                                                                           OPENING DATE  (Date business activity commenced in or with the City of Tacoma)__________________________________________
                                                                                                                           Name of Business (dba)______________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                           Describe in detail business activity; principal product sold or service provided______________________________________________
                                                                                                                           _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
                                                                                                                           Is business located in the City of Tacoma?  Yes   ❐  No❐  If yes: Is the location leased?Yes   ❐ No ❐
                                                                                                                           Is business operated from your home?         Yes ❐  No ❐  Number of Full-time Employees  ________  Sq. Ft. of Location ________
                                                                                                                           Do you provide gambling activities?          Yes   ❐ No ❐  Do you charge for admission?   Yes   ❐ No  ❐
                                                Business Information
                                                                                                                           Do you own or operate any of the following mechanicalAmusement: devices? Yes  ❐ No     ❐ Music:Yes   ❐ No❐    Pool Table:Yes   ❐ No❐
TXL 184 05 12/11 b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Page 1

What do you anticipate your business gross receipts* for an entire year to be? (Check one) (*Gross receipts: Total business income shall 
include business activities both within and without the corporate city limits of Tacoma.)
  ❐   Over $250,000 annual gross receipts
  ❐   Between $12,000 and $250,000 annual gross receipts
  ❐    Less than $12,000 annual gross receipts**
**If less than $12,000, a $25 administrative fee is due. See details on Page 4.
n  Fee: Annual business license fee is $90. If first time registrant and your business activity is starting after June 30th, the fee will be prorated at $45 for the first year.
n  Penalties:  (License is not considered filed until payment is received).

        Paid within one month from start date   No Penalty 
        Paid within two months from start date    20% of the license or $25.00, whichever is greater
        Paid after two months or more from start date  50% of the license or $50.00, whichever is greater
n  Branch accounts:  $25 administrative fee required.
 Additional Locations (Branches) in Tacoma?Yes   ❐ No ❐  If yes, separate tax returns are required for each branch location.
 Name under which operating_____________________________________________  Location______________________________
Annual Business License n  501(c)(3) accounts:  $25 administrative fee required.
 Is your organization recognized as a 501(c)(3) non profit organization by the InternalYes   Revenue❐ No ❐Service?   
 If yes, you must submit a copy of your 501(c)(3) status letter from the Internal Revenue Service.
n  Non-Reporting Accounts:  $25 administrative fee required. 
   If annual gross receipts are $12,000 or less
n  License Expiration:  Annual business license expires December 31st.

One or more of the following General Licenses are required if your business engages in any of the following activities:  (Check all that apply)
For more information call (253) 591-5252
❐  6B.30  Adult Entertainment ❐  6B.150  Oil and Gas Delivery Vehicles
❐  6B.40  Alarm Devices ❐  6B.160  Pawnbrokers, Secondhand Dealers and Garage Sales
❐  6B.50  Ambulances ❐  6B.170  Sales - Door-to-Door Soliciting
❐  6B.70  Entertainment and Dancing - Alcohol served ❐  6B.180  Sales - Sidewalk Vendors
❐  6B.80  Entertainment and Dancing or Skating Rinks - All Ages ❐  6B.190  Scrap Metal and Recyclable Materials Dealers
❐  6B.90  Fire Alarms and Fire Suppression Systems ❐  6B.200  Septic and Side Sewer Contractors
❐  6B.110  Garages, Fuel Stations and Marine Repair Facilities ❐  6B.210  Sign Erectors
❐  6B.125  Hazardous Materials ❐  6B.220  Taxicabs
❐  6B.130  Home Occupations ❐  6B.230  Temporary Licenses - Sales or Shows
General Regulatory License ❐  6B.140  Hotels

 NOTE:  In addition to the above requirements, apply directly to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Food & Community Safety Section,  
for permits relating to FOOD SALES, FOOD SERVICE AND/OR PUBLIC AND SEMIPUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS.

If your business is in the City of Tacoma, Fife, Ruston or Fircrest please complete this survey in full by checking the appropriate answers to each question. If you 
have a question regarding the survey please contact City of Tacoma's Environmental Service and Engineering Division at (253) 591-5588.
*Domestic Wastewater is defined as water carrying human wastes including kitchen wastes, bathroom wastes and laundry wastes that are typical of residential discharges.

1.   Do you or will you discharge wastewater, other then domestic wastewater* into the public sanitary system?  Yes   ❐ No❐
      If yes, please check the source of the non-domestic discharge to the wastewater system.
     ❐  Boiler or Cooling Tower       ❐  Vehicle/Equipment washing      ❐  Food prep, cooking
     ❐  Industrial process wastewater     ❐  Contact storm water       ❐  Unused product disposal
     ❐  Other  _______________________________________________________
2.   Have you been issued any the following permits?   Permit Number(s)   Expiration Date
      Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permits    ___________________  ___________________ 
      State or Federal NPDES Wastewater Discharge Permit  ___________________  ___________________ 
      State Industrial Storm Water Permit    ___________________  ___________________ 
      Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Permit     ___________________  ___________________ 
Commercial and Industrial Survey
      Health Dept. Solid Waste Permit    ___________________  ___________________ 
( Continued on Page 3 )
Page 2

                                 3.   Do you or will you maintain any of the following?          Stormwater       Wastewater           Last date serviced
                                       Grease intercepter/trap                                                             ❐           ___________________ 
                                       Oil-water separator                                              ❐                  ❐           ___________________ 
                                       Other  ______________________________________                    ❐                  ❐           ___________________ 
                                       Storm water pond                                                 ❐                  ❐           ___________________ 
                                       Bioswale                                                            ❐                           ___________________ 
                                       Infiltration                                                        ❐                           ___________________ 
                                       Storm water vault                                                   ❐                           ___________________ 
                                       Cartridge Filtration Unit                                           ❐                           ___________________ 
                                       Rain garden, pervious pavement,                                     ❐                           ___________________ 
                                       other low impact storm water mgmt
                                       Other  ______________________________________                    ❐                              ___________________ 
                                 4.   Are any of the following present at the facility? 
Commercial and Industrial Survey       ❐    Oil storage tanks, containers or drums                     ❐    Chemical storage tanks, containers or drums
                                       ❐    Diesel or gasoline tanks or drums                          ❐    New or used antifreeze tanks, containers or drums
                                 5.   Does this facility have a Spill Containment or Countermeasure Plan?    ❐ Yes    ❐ No

                                 Do you own real estate that you rent or lease inside Tacoma?  Yes   ❐ No❐
                                 If yes, you must also complete the rental address information below for each property.  If you have more than two rental properties in the 
                                 City of Tacoma, please attach additional information.
    
                                                                                   Rental Address (within city limits)

                                 Address  __________________________________________________________________________    # of units  __________   Parcel #  __________
                                           __________________________________________________________________________  
                                 Dwelling Type: ❐ Commercial    ❐ Single Family   ❐ Multi Family                                       Monthly Rental Income:  $ _______________
                                 Local Agent:  ______________________________________________________________________     Phone No.  ____________________________
                                 On Site Agent: ❐ Yes   ❐  No                                    Phone No.  ____________________________

                                                                                   Rental Address (within city limits)

Rental Property Information      Address  __________________________________________________________________________    # of units  __________   Parcel #  __________
                                           __________________________________________________________________________  
                                 Dwelling Type: ❐ Commercial    ❐ Single Family   ❐ Multi Family                                       Monthly Rental Income:  $ _______________
                                 Local Agent:  ______________________________________________________________________     Phone No.  ____________________________
                                 On Site Agent: ❐ Yes   ❐  No                                    Phone No.  ____________________________

The undersigned hereby certifies that the information shown is correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief under 
penalties of perjury. The undersigned acknowledges that this business is governed by the Tacoma Municipal Code and is responsible 
for becoming familiar with the code and abiding by its requirements.

Signed by  ______________________________________________    _________________________________________________________________ 
                                                     (Owner, partner or officer)                                  (Signiture of preparer if other than owner, partner or officer)
Title ________________________________________     _______________________________________________________________________     ________________
                                                                                                                  (Preparer address)                                             (Date) 
                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                 Please see Payment and Mailing Instructions on Page 4

OFFICE USE ONLY   TYPE OF ID: ❐ WDL   ❐ WID   ❐ MIL   ❐ MAIL    ❐ OTHER_________________________   ID# _______________________________
NAICS _____________  Classes______ ______ ______ ______ ______  ❐  MNR ❐  Q❐      A❐
ABLs Year & Amt. Paid ____________________________________________                                            Forms Sent _______________________________________________________
Taxes Paid ______________________________________________________  
                                                                                                                                                                                   
Licenses ________________________________________________________                                             System Entry _____________________________________________________
                                                                                                                                                                                  (Date & Initial)

                                                                                                                                                                                        Page 3

                                                               Instructions:
                                      Complete all applicable sections on Page 1 -3 of the Application
                                         Annual Business License fee (from page 2)
   Open date is January 1 – June 30                                                   $90
   Open date is July 1 – December 31                                                  $45 (First time registration fee)
   Administrative fee if total Gross Receipts  are less than $12,000                  $25
   Administrative Fee for Additional Tacoma locations                                 $25 (each location)
   Administrative Fee for 501(c)(3)                                                   $25
• Application and license fee(s) due may be filed in person or by mail to: 
   City of Tacoma
   Tax & License Division
   733 Market St #21
   Tacoma WA 98402-3770
• Make checks payable to:  City Treasurer
•   Your business will be assigned a City of Tacoma Tax & License Contract Account number. Once you receive this number you can refer  
  to it on any future correspondence relating to your Tax & License account.  
                                      Call Tax & License at 253-591-5252 if you have additional questions.

                                          GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
All persons engaging in a business activity which is subject to Admission Tax, Gambling tax, and Business & Occupation Tax must register and obtain a 
Certificate of Registration and may be required to obtain an Annual Business License.

                                          NON REPORTING STATUS
If your business gross receipts are less than $12,000 annually, you will be put on a non reporting Tax filing status. When your business anticipates gross 
receipts during a calendar year to be greater than $12,000, it is your responsibility to notify Tax & License of the change in your status and to obtain the 
full fee Annual Business License. Failure to do so may subject your business to penalties. The Annual Business License notification is sent in the month of 
December to every business for renewal by January 31 of the next calendar year. 

                 GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS—(Chapter 6B.10)
Sec. 6B.10.040 “LICENSE REQUIRED."  No person shall maintain or operate any device, vehicle or thing, or engage in any business, calling, profession, trade, 
occupation or activity specified in this subtitle without first procuring a license therefor from the City of Tacoma and paying the fees prescribed herein.”
Sec. 6B.10.050 “SEPARATE LICENSES—WHEN REQUIRED."  A separate license shall be obtained for each branch, establishment or separate location in which 
the business, calling, profession, trade, occupation or activity licensed by this title is carried on . . .”
Sec. 6B.10.070 “TERM OF LICENSE."  All licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this subtitle except as to those licenses for which a shorter term is herein 
specified, shall be effective as of the first day of the month of issuance regardless of the actual date of issue, and shall expire one year from effective date thereof, 
unless sooner revoked in the manner provided in this chapter.”
Sec. 6B.10.090 “LATE PAYMENT RENEWAL OF LICENSE."  Any licensee who shall fail to make payment on or prior to the due date of said license shall be 
subjected to penalty, unless an extension based upon good cause is granted by the Director.
All licenses issued subsequent to the initial license period shall be deemed renewal licenses if there has been no discontinuance of the licensee's operations 
or activities. No license shall be renewed as herein provided unless the licensee has paid in full all occupational and regulatory license fees and taxes due 
to the City pursuant to the ordinances of the City during the preceding license term. Nonpayment of occupational and regulatory license fees and taxes 
when due by the licensee during the term of any license shall constitute a ground for revocation of said license. 
Sec. 6B.10.110 “POSTING OF LICENSE.”  This license must be posted in a conspicuous place on the device, vehicle, or thing licensed, or at the place where the 
licensed business, calling, profession, trade, occupation or activity is carried on.  

                                                               TAX RETURNS
ADMISSION AND CABARET TAX (CHAPTER 6A.20) 
NATURAL GAS (CHAPTER 6A.90); CABLE TV, TELEPHONE, CELLULAR/PAGING COMMUNICATION (CHAPTER 6A.40); GAMBLING TAX (CHAPTER 
6A.60)—Punchboard, Pulltabs, Cardrooms, Bingo, Raffles, Amusement Games; ELECTRICITY BUSINESS AND SOLID WASTE COLLECTION 
(CHAPTER 6A.50); BUSINESS & OCCUPATION TAX (CHAPTER 6A.30)
Generally, as to taxes imposed under the above chapters of the Tacoma Municipal Code, returns and remittances are filed monthly, quarterly and annually. 
Reporting periods are assigned by the Tax & License Division. If a “Person” is engaged in transitory or temporary activity, the return and remittance will be 
due at the conclusion of the activity, performance, or exhibition, or at the conclusion of a series of activities, performances or exhibitions, or at such other 
time as the Director shall determine. 

Any “Person” violating the provisions of Title 6 of the Tacoma Municipal Code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
                                                                                                                                                            Page 4

 City of Tacoma  •Finance Department

BUSINESS LICENSING GUIDE

  Use the information below as a guide to get your new business licensed.  Each agency has different requirements that 
  are dependent on your business activity and we recommend you contact each of them before starting your business.  
  If you have questions about the City of Tacoma business license process, contact Tax & License at 253-591-5252. 

1 Federal and State Licensing Information

      q  Determine the best type of business structure:  Contact the Washington Secretary of State at 
            360-725-0377 or visit:  www.sos.wa.gov.

      q   Obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) by completing a Master Business Application at the 
            Washington State Department of Revenue.  Contact the Department of Revenue at 1-800-647-7706 
            or visit www.dor.wa.gov.

      q   Determine if you need to obtain a Professional License from the Washington State Department of 
            Licensing by visiting www.dol.wa.gov/listoflicenses or call 253-382-2000.

      q   Determine if you need to obtain a license or permit from the Washington State Department of Labor 
            and Industries by visiting www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing or call 1-800-647-0982.

      q   Determine if you need a Federal Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service.  
             Visit:  www.irs.gov  for more information or call the local Tacoma office at 253-428-3518.

2 City of Tacoma Information

      q    Check with Building and Land Use Services at 253-591-5363 to make sure the building, if located 
            in the City, has an occupancy permit and is appropriate for your type of business activity. 

      q    Check with Zoning at 253-591-5577 to ensure your location in the City is zoned for the business 
            activity you plan to conduct. 

      q    Check with Fire at 253-591-5740 to ensure your building location in the City meets the fire 
            requirements for the activity you plan to conduct.  

      q   Check with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Food & Consumer Safety Section at 
            www.tpchd.org/food/food-plan-review-process  or call 253-798-6500, for Food Establishment 
            Operating Permit Requirements for New Food Establishments or Change to Existing Facilities.

                                                   Page 1 of 2

City of Tacoma   Finance•Department

BUSINESS LICENSING GUIDE

        3         City of Tacoma Business & Regulatory Licensing Information

                  q   Complete a City of Tacoma Application for Certificate of Registration and Licensing and return to the 
                         Tax & License office located at 733 Market St Room 21, Tacoma WA 98402.

                  If your business engages in any of the below activities a Regulatory License may be required along with 
                  supplemental information.  For more information or to print any of the listed applications or supplemental 
                  forms go to Regulatory License Information at www.cityoftacoma.org/businesslicense.                                
                  Or call 253-591-5252. 

                                                                                         Type of Application 
                  Name of License                                                        or Supplemental Required

                  Entertainment and Dancing or Skating Rinks – All Ages                 N/A
                  Fire Alarms and Fire Suppression Systems                                    Fire Protection Contractor Information  
                  Garages, Fuel Stations and Marine Repair Facilities                       N/A
                  Hazardous Materials                                                                       Hazardous Materials Supplemental
                  Home Occupations                                                                         Home Occupation Agreement
                  Hotels                                                                 N/A
                  Oil and Gas Delivery Vehicles                                                         Affidavit of Oil and Gas Vehicles
                  Pawnbrokers, Secondhand Dealers                                                N/A
                  Sales – Door-to-Door Soliciting                                                     Door-to-Door Application Sales 
                  Sales – Sidewalk Vendors                                                               Sidewalk Vending Application
                  Scrap Metal and Recyclable Material Dealers                                  N/A
                  Security Personnel                                                                          Security Personnel Application
                  Septic and Side Sewer Contractors                                                  Street Obstruction Bond 
                                                                                         (Side Sewer contractors only)
                  Sign Erectors                                                                                   Insurance Required
                  Taxicabs                                                               Taxicab Vehicle Application
                  Taxicab Drivers                                                                                For Hire Taxi Driver Application

                  Mere filing of an application shall not give the applicant the right to engage in business activity.  New license 
                  applications should be filed 30 days prior to starting business in Tacoma to ensure any regulated activities are 
                  approved by the City.  If you have not received an Annual Business License certificate within 15 business days of 
                  submitting your application, please contact Tax & License at 253-591-5252.

                  We look forward to seeing you in Tacoma!

                                         City of Tacoma Tax & License Division
                                         733 Market St Room 21Tacoma WA 98402
                                         ww.cityoftacoma.org/businesslicense 253-591-5252
                                                                Page 2 of 2                                                                      TXL 211 06/11 b