|
Business Licenses
The City of
Gig Harbor is participating in a joint business
licensing program with the
Department of Licensing
at the State of Washington.
Businesses can
now apply online at
www.dol.wa.gov for the City of Gig Harbor and various state
and local agencies (including Department of Revenue,
Secretary of State, Employment Security, Labor & Industry,
and Department of Licensing and other municipalities) using
a single form with addendum pages for each participating
municipality.
You will
receive one Master License from the State showing both your
city and state business licenses.
To register
your business with the City and State:
-
Visit the
City of Gig Harbor license information page. You
will be directed on how to apply by completing two forms: the State of Washington
Master Application
form and the
City of Gig Harbor
Addendum form. Questions about the Master
Application form or the Addendum form should be directed
to the Department of Licensing at (360) 664-1400.
-
Send
the completed forms to the Department of Licensing along
with the total amount payable to the "Washington State
Treasurer." You will receive your Master License about
four weeks after submitting your application.
-
If
you wish to receive your UBI (Unified Business
Identifier) number right away you may bring your
completed forms to Gig Harbor City Hall, and a number
can be issued.
-
If
registering a business physically located within Gig
Harbor, your Gig Harbor license will be subject to
zoning approved by the city's Department of Planning and
Community Development.
If you are
already registered with the State but need to register with
the City of Gig Harbor, you should follow the same procedure
outlined above including completion of the two forms and a
$35.00 check payable to the "Washington State Treasurer."
Other Gig
Harbor registration requirements:
-
Home-based businesses should call the Department of
Community Development at (253) 851-6170.
Additional
Information
-
To
find out if a business or a trade name is
registered
with the State please visit the Business and
Professional License website at:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/checkstatus.html
RENEWING YOUR CITY BUSINESS LICENSE
If you are a business that has one or more
city or state business licenses to renew, you will be able
to do so with just a single renewal for each business
location. Many of you will be eligible to renew over the
Internet. If so, instructions will be printed on the
renewal notice.
-
When the State Department of Licensing
sends your renewal notice, make any needed corrections including the owner names, addresses,
and the Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number.
-
Submit the renewal to MLS by mail or over
the internet with the appropriate fees.
-
After the renewal is processed, you will
receive a “Licenses and Registrations” document that
displays your City of Gig Harbor business license
endorsement along with any other business registrations
and licenses that are handled through MLS.
-
Note the expiration month on your license
and look for the next renewal notice to arrive about six
weeks before that expiration date. At that time, you
will also be charged the $9 Master License Service
renewal fee.
MLS normally charges a $9 renewal-handling
fee. That fee will appear on the renewal notice. If your
initial MLS renewal is prorated for less than 12 months, the
handling fee will be waived until the next, full year’s
renewal. To some of you this will be a new experience; to
others who are already renewing other licenses through MLS,
there will be no change other than your city license will be
included on the renewal.
If you have questions about this program,
please contact Master License Service at 360-664-1414 or
visit online:
http://access.wa.gov/business/index.aspx
RENEW ON TIME!
The Master License Service charges a late
renewal penalty fee of 50% of the amount of the combined
licensing fees due for a business location, up to $150
maximum. In order to avoid being charged this penalty fee,
it is important that you submit your renewal application
before the expiration date.
TAX INFORMATION:
If you have retail sales within the
boundaries of the City of Gig Harbor you should use the
City’s 4-digit location code 2708 on the Washington
Combined Excise Tax Return, line 18.
What if the business is a non-profit organization?
All businesses operated not-for-profit are exempt from paying
a business license fee upon satisfactory proof of
non-profit status by submitting this information to the
Department of Licensing. What if the business is in my home?
Businesses operated from your home within city limits are
called "Home-Occupation." It is important to obtain
information from the
Planning Department
about the rules governing home occupations
and what regulations apply. The fees are the same and you
may use the same application process.
Indicate on the application that you are applying for a home occupation.
What about zoning regulations?
The City of Gig Harbor has zoning requirements to provide
for orderly development. Certain businesses are allowed
in certain areas of the city. Before considering starting
a business, contact the
Planning Department,
to ask whether your proposed business is allowed in the area,
especially before making a commitment to lease or buy space!
Why do I need a Fire Marshal Inspection?
The
Fire Marshal inspection
is required by code and free
of charge with your business license approval. This service
is to assure the city and yourself, the business owner, that
any safety issues have been addressed, such as blocked emergency
exits and sufficient fire extinguishers. The inspection will
be repeated on an annual basis for a nominal fee.
What about remodeling my new business?
Please be aware that remodeling requires a
building permit. Please obtain these permits before commencing any remodeling
activities.
Signage.
Before making any additions or modifications to signage,
you will need to apply for a
permit.
Do I have to renew my license?
The license is renewable yearly.
You will be sent a renewal notice from the State of
Washington.
Temporary Business License Permit Application Form |
