Redmond city endorsement

Requirements and fees

General business license
Variable

The city of Redmond 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.

Method for calculating FTEs

  • Annual employee hours may be calculated based on the sum of employee hours on the four quarterly reports submitted to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries for the previous year. New businesses must estimate the first year's employee hours. 
  • The work figure used by L&I is 1,920 hours per year for a full-time employee. 
  • In addition to the annual employee hours reported on the L&I report, you must include employee hours for sole proprietors, owners, managers, partners, any family members working at the business, and any officers, agents or personal representatives acting in a fiduciary capacity.

The minimum number of FTEs is one. This includes self-employed persons, sole proprietors, owners, managers, and partners.

Employee definition

Any person who performs work, labor, or services for a business and is on the business payroll. The term “employee” also includes all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees or workers on the business payroll and self-employed persons, sole proprietors, owners, managers, partners, any family members working at the business, and any officers, agents, or personal representatives acting in a fiduciary capacity. 

Origination fee:

License fee:

Determined by the total number of hours employees worked within the city. The minimum license fee is $141, which is equivalent to one FTE (1,920 hours per year).

Employee fee:

$141 fee per FTE

Renewal fee:

License fee:

Determined by the total number of hours employees worked within the city. The minimum license fee is $141, which is equivalent to one FTE (1,920 hours per year).

Employee fee:

$141 fee per FTE

Nonprofit businesses
$0

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: $0

Renewal fee: $0

Home businesses
Variable

If your business is in a residence within the city, you must comply with Redmond Zoning Code 21.08.340. For more information on home occupation requirements, contact the city directly.

Method for calculating FTEs

  • Annual employee hours may be calculated based on the sum of employee hours on the four quarterly reports submitted to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries for the previous year. New businesses must estimate the first year's employee hours. 
  • The work figure used by L&I is 1,920 hours per year for a full-time employee.
  • In addition to the annual employee hours reported on the L&I report, you must include employee hours for sole proprietors, owners, managers, partners, any family members working at the business, and any officers, agents or personal representatives acting in a fiduciary capacity.

The minimum number of FTEs is one. This includes self-employed persons, sole proprietors, owners, managers, and partners. 

Employee definition

Any person who performs work, labor, or services for a business and is on the business payroll. The term “employee” also includes all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees or workers on the business payroll and self-employed persons, sole proprietors, owners, managers, partners, any family members working at the business, and any officers, agents, or personal representatives acting in a fiduciary capacity. 

Origination fee:

License fee:

Determined by the total number of hours employees worked within the city. The minimum license fee is $141, which is equivalent to one FTE (1,920 hours per year).

Employee fee:

$141 fee per FTE

Renewal fee:

License fee:

Determined by the total number of hours employees worked within the city. The minimum license fee is $141, which is equivalent to one FTE (1,920 hours per year).

Employee fee:

$141 fee per FTE

Non-resident businesses
Variable

If 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 (FTEs) and/or total hours worked.

Method for calculating FTEs

  • Annual employee hours may be calculated based on the sum of employee hours on the four quarterly reports submitted to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries for the previous year. New businesses must estimate the first year's employee hours.
  • The work figure used by L&I is 1,920 hours per year for a full-time employee.
  • In addition to the annual employee hours reported on the L&I report, you must include employee hours for sole proprietors, owners, managers, partners, any family members working at the business, and any officers, agents or personal representatives acting in a fiduciary capacity.

The minimum number of FTEs is one. This includes self-employed persons, sole proprietors, owners, managers, and partners. 

Employee definition

Any person who performs work, labor, or services for a business and is on the business payroll. The term “employee” also includes all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees or workers on the business payroll and self-employed persons, sole proprietors, owners, managers, partners, any family members working at the business, and any officers, agents, or personal representatives acting in a fiduciary capacity. 

Origination fee:

Reported gross annual income

License fee

$0 through $2,000

$0

Above $2,000

$141 fee per FTE.

The minimum license fee is $141, which is equivalent to one FTE (1,920 hours per year).

Renewal fee:

Reported gross annual income

License fee

$0 through $2,000

$0

Above $2,000

$141 fee per FTE.

The minimum license fee is $141, which is equivalent to one FTE (1,920 hours per year).

Fee-exempt license
$0

Businesses may be exempt from the city licensing fee if they comply with Redmond Municipal Code 5.04.080. The business will apply for a General Business license; the city will review the application to determine if your location qualifies for Fee-exempt license. It will be up to the city to refund any extra general business fees upon approval.

Origination fee: $0

Renewal fee: $0

Businesses exempt from city licensing

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

Average approval time

Average approval time from date a completed application is received: 25 business days.

Apply for a city license

State tax registration $0
Registering your business name as a trade name $5
Business license application fee Variable

Online

Need help?
Setting up your business licensing and tax account
How to add a city license endorsement


By mail

Complete the following and mail to:

Business License Application and City and County Addendum

Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034