City Business Licenses

The City of Lake Stevens and State Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service (BLS) formed a new partnership in September 2007 that streamlines the way current and future business owners can obtain business licenses. BLS's system enables business owners to complete online the Business License Application and City of Lake Stevens Business License Addendum, all on a single site. You may apply online using your MasterCard, American Express or Visa credit card, or download the paperwork and mail with appropriate fees (check or money order made out to the "Washington State Department of Revenue") to: 

    Business Licensing Service 
    Department of Revenue 
    PO Box 9034 
    Olympia, WA 98507-9034.

The City's business license application fee is $40 (State Business Application processing fee is an additional $19)  - both City and State fees are non-refundable.

After your business license application is received by the State and sent to the City for approval, you will receive a Business License from the State showing both your City and State business licenses. You will receive your business license from the State about four to six weeks after submitting your application.
 

Home Occupations

When applying for a City business license with BLS and your business is a Home Occupation, which means you are conducting any part of your business out of your residence within the City limits, please also complete the following addendum and mail it directly to:
 
City Hall
P.O. Box 257
Lake Stevens, WA 98258
 
Home Occupation Addendum - there is no additional fee for this form. This form contains additional information that the City needs to process your business license. Before applying for a home-based business license, call the City's Planning and Community Development Department at 425-622-9400 if you question whether your type of business would be allowed in your residence.

Exemptions 
Your business may be exempt from having a City of Lake Stevens business license; click here for a list of Exemptions. Being exempt from City business licensing requirements does not exempt you from any State requirements; please get in touch with BLS at 1-800-451-7985.

Additional Fees

Contact the City of Lake Stevens for additional City licensing fees, application forms, and rules and regulations related to the following businesses:

• Non-refundable Adult Entertainment (Cabaret) application fee
• Adult Entertainment (Cabaret) Establishment (annual)
• Adult Entertainment (Cabaret) Establishment Manager / Entertainer (annual)
• Pawnbroker and Second Dealers (annual)

City Review Process

If registering a business physically located within the City of Lake Stevens, your City license will be subject to zoning approved by the City's Department of Planning and Community Development and may be reviewed by the Fire and Police Departments. Businesses located outside the City limits but doing business within the City limits are approved by the Community Development Director or designee. 

Renewal Fees 
A renewal notice from DOR is mailed out approximately one month prior to the license expiration date. The fee for a renewal is $25 plus the applicable State license renewal processing fee. The renewal fees are non-refundable.

Business Relocation
Suppose you have a City of Lake Stevens Business License, and your business moves to a new location within the City limits. In that case, you must reapply for a new business license for the new location.

New Owners
A new owner of an existing business within the City limits must reapply for a new business license.