The city of Spokane requires a license for all businesses located within city limits, or conducting business within city limits. If you are not sure if you will do business within the city limits, contact the city directly before you apply.
If you will have more than one business located on a single property, you must complete a separate application for each business.
License fee is determined by number of employees who work within the city limits of Spokane.
All owners, partners, corporate officers, agents, dealers, LLC members and managers, business trustees, and 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.
License fee:
Employee fee:
1 through 5 employees - $10 per employee
6 through 10 employees - $15 per employee
11 or more employees - $20 per employee
Businesses that have completed Section B or Section C of the City Addendum and whose gross annual income is $18,000 or below may be eligible for a reduced Spokane General Business Registration Fee at the time of renewal. Sufficient proof of gross annual income earned from business activities in the City of Spokane is required to qualify and sent to:
City of Spokane
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201
Examples of acceptable documents:
Your registration will not be issued until the proper documentation is approved by the City of Spokane. If you have any questions, contact the city at (509) 625-6070.
Reported gross annual income
License fee
$0 through $18,000
$65.50 (reduced fee) + employee fee if applicable
Employees:
1 through 5 employees - $10 per employee
6 through 10 employees - $15 per employee
11 or more employees - $20 per employee
$131 + employee fee if applicable
Employees:
1 through 5 employees - $10 per employee
6 through 10 employees - $15 per employee
11 or more employees - $20 per employee
If you are a nonprofit business, you may be exempt from city fees. To qualify you must submit a copy of your business’ IRS 501(c) certificate with your application.
Origination fee: $65.50
Renewal fee: $65.50
Social Purpose corporation (SPC) licenseA for-profit corporation formed or qualified under the provisions of Chapter 23B.25 RCW as a Social Purpose Corporation (SPC) may be eligible for a discounted City of Spokane SPC business license and fee. To qualify you must first apply for the regular Spokane city general business license and pay full fees normally due. Afterwards, contact the City of Spokane directly to request the special SPC license status. If the discount is allowed, an adjustment to the amount of fees paid will be made. For more information, contact the city directly.
License fee
1 through 5 employees - $10 per employee
6 through 10 employees - $15 per employee
11 or more employees - $20 per employee
License fee
1 through 5 employees - $10 per employee
6 through 10 employees - $15 per employee
11 or more employees - $20 per employee
A for-profit corporation that qualifies for the City of Spokane Social Purpose Corporation (SPC) status business license may also qualify for an additional business license fee discount by submitting proof the SPC entity holds the independent, commercial B-Lab Certification. For more information, contact the city directly.
Origination fee: $65.50
Renewal fee: $65.50
Non-resident businessesIf your business is physically located outside city limits, but conducts business within city limits, your license fee is determined by gross annual income earned within this city’s limits and number of employees:
All owners, partners, corporate officers, agents, dealers, LLC members and managers, business trustees, and 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.
Reported gross annual income
License fee
$131 + employee fee if applicable
Employees:
1 through 5 employees - $10 per employee
6 through 10 employees - $15 per employee
11 or more employees - $20 per employee
Businesses that have completed Section B or Section C of the City Addendum and whose gross annual income is $18,000 or below may be eligible for a reduced Spokane General Business Registration Fee at the time of renewal. Sufficient proof of gross annual income earned from business activities in the City of Spokane is required to qualify and sent to:
City of Spokane
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201
Examples of acceptable documents:
Your registration will not be issued until the proper documentation is approved by the City of Spokane. If you have any questions, contact the city at 509-625-6070.
Reported gross annual income
License fee
Above $2,000 through $18,000
$65.50 (reduced fee) + employee fee if applicable
Employees:
1 through 5 employees - $10 per employee
6 through 10 employees - $15 per employee
11 or more employees - $20 per employee
$131 + employee fee if applicable
Employees:
1 through 5 employees - $10 per employee
6 through 10 employees - $15 per employee
11 or more employees - $20 per employee
You are not authorized to conduct business in Spokane until all local code requirements are met.
If you have checked any of the boxes in lines 5 or 10 on page 2 of this form, please call the Spokane Fire Department at 509-625-7041 to schedule your safety evaluation. Please be aware that the safety evaluation may discover related activities that could require additional Building or Fire Department permits and fees. We are here to help your business succeed and reduce your risk of a fire while avoiding citations, fines & possible business closure for non-compliance with local Municipal Codes. Thank you for helping make Spokane a safer place to live and work!
A few basic fire safety requirements for new businesses:
You must contact the city of Spokane Department of Taxes & Licenses at 509-625-6070 directly for additional licensing, fees, or taxes if your business involves any of the following activities:
For the following business activities, please contact the listed department to obtain the required regulatory license in addition to the business registration.
Short term rentals: Development Services Center 509-625-6300
Businesses exempt from city licensingYour business may be exempt from getting a city business license. For more information, please contact the city directly.
Average approval timeAverage approval time from date a completed application is received: 1 business day.
| State tax registration | $0 |
| Registering your business name as a trade name | $5 |
| Business license application fee | Variable |
Complete the following and mail to:
Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034