Business Licenses
A City of Everett business license is required for all persons engaging in business within the city limits of Everett. The City of Everett business license is completely separate from a Washington State business license. If you conduct business in Everett, you must have a current Everett business license and file business and occupation taxes. Prior to applying, verify if the address you intend to operate at is within the city limits of Everett using our online map viewer at Map Everett
- Starting a Business
- New Business Licenses
- Business License Renewal
- Regulatory Licenses
- No-Fee Business Registration
First steps to starting a business in Everett:
Are you thinking of starting a business?
- Find help from Washington State’s Small Business Guidance
Have you already started a new business, but haven’t registered with the Department of Revenue?
- Your first step is to choose an ownership structure and register with the Washington State Department of Revenue where you will obtain your Uniform Business Identifier, or commonly called a UBI number.
Do you already have your UBI number and are ready to begin business in Everett?
- Visit New Business Licenses above to find out about costs, how to file for an Everett license online, and next steps.
Applying for a new business license in the City of Everett
For 2026, the cost to obtain a new business license is:
- $111.00: Starting business in Everett between January 1 through June 30
- $55.00: Starting business in Everett between July 1 and December 31
Apply online on
FileLocal: How to set up an account (courtesy of City of Seattle)
Next Steps:
- Once your application is approved, you can get a copy of your Business License on FileLocal.
- If you are a third-party tax preparer, we must have a Tax Authorization form on file as tax information can only be discussed with authorized individuals.
- Do you conduct business inside of your City of Everett home? Please review the regulations for conducting a Home Occupation business.
Business License Renewals
- Business license renewals are due Jan. 31
- Renewal invoices will be mailed to you or uploaded to your FileLocal account by mid-November. Staff does not provide license renewal forms prior.
- For businesses with more than one location inside the city limits of Everett, the renewal fees for all locations will appear on the renewal invoice for your primary business location.
- Renew online on
- FileLocal: How to set up an account (courtesy of City of Seattle)
| Primary Location fee | Default Fee | If your business makes less than $45K per year AND is within Everett city limits | Each additional Location |
| 2026 | $111 | $15 | $29 |
Late Penalties
| Payment Received | Penalty |
|---|---|
| By January 31 (due date) | None |
| In February | 10% of current renewal fee |
| After February | 20% of current renewal fee |
For more information about paying your taxes visit our Business and Occupation tax page.
When do you need a Regulatory License?
Regulatory licenses are required for the following activities and businesses:
- Pawn broker, junk and secondhand dealer
- Hawkers, peddlers, and solicitors
- For-hire vehicles
- Towing companies
- Traffic Escort Service
- Overnight lodging
- Cable systems
- Adult entertainment
To obtain a regulatory license, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 425-257-8610.
Additional information about regulatory business licenses can be found in Title 5 of the Everett Municipal Code.
Do you qualify for an annual no-fee business registration?
If you answer YES to both of these questions, you can register for a no-fee business registration.
- Does your business reside outside the city limits of Everett? AND;
- Do you anticipate your gross proceeds of sales or gross income of the business in the city is equal to or less than $5,000
New no-fee applicants: If you answered YES to both of these questions, you may apply online on FileLocal to qualify for the no-fee business registration.
No-fee Renewals: Please fill out our renewal form to update your account to an annual no-fee business registration.
No-fee business registrations must file taxes annually even if no taxes are owed.
If you do not qualify?
If you answered no to either of these questions, please apply for a regular business license online on FileLocal.