Apply for a Business License

Joint City and State Business License Registration
Bellevue participates in a joint business licensing program with the state Department of Licensing. The city and state business license application forms have been combined into a single application. Businesses can now register with the City of Bellevue and various state and local agencies (including the Department of Revenue, Secretary of State, Employment Security, Labor & Industries and Department of Licensing) all at one time.

You will receive a master license from the state, showing both your city and state business licenses. Bellevue business licenses are valid for the life of the business.

To register your business with the city and state
Complete the master application and the City Business License Addendum. The fee for 2008 to register with the City of Bellevue is $44 (master application fee $15 and Bellevue registration $29). If you have any questions about registering your business with the city, please contact the Tax Division at 425-452-6851.

There are three ways to file the master application and supplemental forms:

• File online, using your credit card. The Department of Licensing does not recommend this option if you have specialty licenses.
• Complete the master application and the City Business License Addendum, and mail with the appropriate fee (check or money order made out to the Washington State Treasurer) to:
                   Master License Service
                   Department of Licensing
                   P.O. Box 9034
                   Olympia WA  98507-9034
• File in person at the Service First desk located on the first floor of City Hall.
• File at other business licensing locations.

You will receive your master license about four to six weeks after submitting your application.

Other Bellevue registration requirements
If registering a business physically located within Bellevue, your Bellevue license will be subject to zoning approved by the city's Department of Planning and Community Development.

After your business license application is approved by the city, you will get your Bellevue registration number along with Business and Occupation (B&O) tax information. The city's current exemption levels for business and occupation taxes are $135,000 in taxable gross receipts and/or 250 taxable square feet for offices located in Bellevue. You will not need to pay B&O taxes if you are below Bellevue's tax exemption levels. If your business start date was prior to the current quarter, you will be sent tax returns for previous quarters.

Home-based businesses with external indication of commercial activity should call the Department of Planning & Community Development at 425-452-4188. Businesses operating on public or private property within the city limits of Bellevue must have the approval of the property owner.

For publicly owned properties, approval may be granted for park sites by the Parks & Community Services Department at 425-452-4278, and/or streets, sidewalks and other public rights of way by the Transportation Department at 425-452-4599. For privately owned property, permission must be obtained from the property owner.

Additional Information
The state Department of Revenue also administers a B&O tax. This is not jointly administered for the state and city. The telephone number for the Department of Revenue is 1-800-647-7706.

To find out if a business or a trade name is registered with the state, please visit the Business and Professional License Search.

To make any changes to the legal entity name for your corporation, LLC or LLP, you must contact the Secretary of State at 360-753-7115.