Requirements and fees
The city of Richland requires a license for all businesses located within city limits, or conducting business within city limits. Submitting an application for a city of Richland business license certifies you have read and will comply with Richland Municipal Code (RMC) 5.23.42 and any additional applicable RMCs.
If you are not sure if you will do business within the city limits, contact the city directly before you apply.
Note: If you are no longer doing business in Richland, please cancel your city of Richland endorsement. The city of Richland endorsements are not transferrable to other cities and, if renewed in error, the city will not issue refunds.
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) 3, 4 or 5 certificate with your application.
*Please review RMC 05.04.250, 05.04.130 where as a business with more than 20 employees at a location, all General Business Licensing fees apply, including the $40 license fee, $12 per employee fee, the $2 per rental unit fee, and the Richland city late renewal fee ($20 or 10% of total city license fees, whichever is greater).
Note: The employee count is established after the ‘two free employees’ have been deducted from the gross total.
If your business is located at a residence within the city, you must comply with Richland Municipal Code 23.42.090. For more information regarding home occupation requirements, contact the city directly.
Submitting an application for a City of Richland Home Occupation Business License certifies you have read and agree to comply with the home occupation requirements located in RMC 23.42.090, Section C.
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:
| Reported gross annual income | License fee |
|---|---|
| $0 through $2,000 | No license required |
| Above $2,000 | Variable fee |
If your business involves a vehicle based food service, you must comply with Richland Municipal Code 23.42.325. Once applications have been submitted through the Department of Revenue, applicants are required to complete our Mobile Food Vendor Addendum, please visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/businesslicensing to complete the required addendum. For more information on vehicle based food service requirements, contact the city directly.
Submitting an application or a City of Richland Vehicle Based Food Service certifies you have read and agree to comply with the Vehicle Based Food Service Requirements located in RMC 23.42.325.
Your business may be exempt from getting a city business license. For more information, please contact the city directly.
Apply for a city license
| State tax registration | $0 |
| Registering your business name as a trade name | $5 |
| Business license application fee | $19 (nonrefundable) |
Online
Online assistance
Setting up your business licensing and tax account
How to add a city license endorsement
By mail
Complete the following and mail to:
Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
Business license application
City business license addendum