Burien city endorsement

Requirements and fees

General business license
Variable

The city of Burien 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 determine by number of employees who work within the city limits of Burien.

Employee definition: Any individual, whether employed full-time or part-time, located within the city, either permanently or temporarily, on the payroll of the business at the time of application for the business license. 

Origination fee:

Employee fee calculation

Total number of employees

License fee

0 through 39

$180

40 or more

$350

Renewal fee:

Employee fee calculation

Total number of employees

License fee

0 through 39

$180

40 or more

$350

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
$70

If your business is in a residence within the city, you must comply with Burien Municipal Code 19.17.090. For more information on home occupation requirements, contact the city directly.

Origination fee: $70

Renewal fee: $70

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:

Origination fee:

Reported gross annual income

License fee

$0 through $2,000

$0

Above $2,000

$180

Renewal fee:

Reported gross annual income

License fee

$0 through $2,000

$0

Above $2,000

$180

Rental housing businesses
Variable

An owner or landlord renting or leasing a residential housing unit within Burien city limits shall obtain and maintain a rental housing business license for each rental property complex. The following property rental units are exempt: Single-family residences; mobile or manufactured homes; condominiums and townhomes; government owned or managed rental units; and accessory dwelling units. For more information, see Burien Municipal Code 5.62.040, or contact the city directly.

Please note: Hotels, motels, short-term rentals such as Airbnb; institutional housing; shelters and transitional housing will need to obtain a General Business or Nonprofit Business endorsement.

Origination fee:

Rental fee calculation

Total number of rental units

License fee

1 through 10

$303.75

11 through 50

$759.36

51 or more

$911.24

Renewal fee:

Rental fee calculation

Total number of rental units

License fee

1 through 10

$303.75

11 through 50

$759.36

51 or more

$911.24

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

City approval time not available. Contact the city directly for more information.

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