Requirements and fees
The city of Vancouver requires a license for all businesses located within city limits, or conducting business within city limits.
To confirm if your business location is within city limits, go to the city limits map or call the city at 360-487-8410 option 3, before applying for a city license.
If you will have more than one business located on a single property, you must complete a separate application for each business.
Some businesses may need a city special license in addition to obtaining a city business license. For more information, go to Vancouver’s Special Licenses page or contact city at 360-487-8410 option 3.
An organization that qualifies for at least one city nonprofit employee-fee exemption criterion can be exempt from the city business license employee fee upon correctly completing the City Addendum part of the application. The organization must attach a copy of its IRS 501(c) tax-exempt certification letter to the license application.
If your business has a location address that is a residence in city limits, it must hold a city business license; as well as, comply with city home occupation standards; see: Vancouver’s home occupation permit page. Fees for a home occupation business license are the same as for a general business license.
The license fee for a business operating in this city - whether based inside or outside this city - is determined by gross annual income earned within this city’s limits and number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees working within this city’s limits (Select "Variable" below for instructions):
| Reported gross annual income | License fee |
|---|---|
| $0 through $12,000 | $0 |
| Above $12,000 | Variable fee |
A business that expects to generate $12,000 or less in annual gross receipts in city limits must hold a city business license, but can be exempt from paying all city business license fees upon correctly completing the income estimate part of the business license application or annual renewal. For questions about this exemption, contact the city at 360-487-8410 option 3, before applying for this city license.
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 license application
City business license addendum
Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034