Dear Business Owner,
The City of Auburn is pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service (BLS), for administration of City of Auburn Business Licensing. To determine if your business will be applied for or renewed through the state BLS or city, please review the FAQ information below. 

1. Can I renew my license before December 31 for the following year?

For City of Auburn regulatory or residential rental licenses described on tab two who apply or renew at the city, your issued license will be active from January 1 to December 31. Each year city staff will send renewals for you to renew your annual business license by January 1 in November or December by email and if not renewed after the email is sent, through a hard copy invoice.

State of Washington BLS renewal or licenses are no longer on a calendar year renewal cycle and will change to your existing anniversary/renewal date with the State of Washington UBI to streamline and simplify the application and renewal process for you. Renewals will be emailed and mailed by the state BLS.

2. What types of businesses need to have a business license?

All entities engaged in business physically located Auburn city limits, including those physically located in commercial or in-home locations inside the City limits must obtain a business license.

Many business owners determine they do not need a license because they are not physically located in the city, or do not generate an annual gross revenue above $2,001.00 which triggers the requirement to hold an Auburn business license. In addition to those requirements, you may fall into another category and create a Nexus in Auburn and be required to hold a business license. If your place of business is not located within the city limits, but you or your agents will be physically coming into the city to conduct business, call on clients, or provide services, you will also need an Auburn business license. 

Auburn City Code (ACC) 3.53.020 (Q) and 5.10.040 (C) “Engaging in business”

Without being all inclusive, any one of the following activities conducted within the city by a person, or its employee, agent, representative, independent contractor, broker or another acting on its behalf constitutes engaging in business and requires a person to register and obtain a business license.

Those that are required to pay an Auburn B&O Tax under Auburn City Code ACC 3.54, or business required to pay an Auburn tax under ACC 3.84.040 or 3.88.040 are required to obtain a business license. 

To apply for these licenses, apply through the state BLS web system, or renew when noticed by the state, aligning the city renewal with the expiration date of your state license:  Open a business - Washington Department of Revenue.

Residential Rental business license and regulatory licenses are not part of this transition and will still be handled by the city per Auburn City Code (ACC) 5.20, see  tab two for those license types and how to apply directly through the city. 
   
If you are a business that is assessed or required to pay the Business and Occupation Tax under ACC 3.54 or earn money without a physical presence by providing services, such utility providers, cable operators, telecommunication carriers, operators, and providers who offer or provide any utility or telecommunications services for a fee directly to the public, either within the city or outside the corporate city limits from facilities within the city, under ACC 3.84.040 or 3.88.040, the following will apply to your business license requirement:

• If you have a physical presence in Auburn, you are required to obtain an Auburn business license.
• If generating a reported gross annual income from $0 through $2,000.00, no license is required and you are exempt from an Auburn business license unless you fall within the exception as noted above as an Auburn taxpayer.
• If generating a reported gross annual income above $2,000.00, an Auburn business license is required.
• If you have a nexus in Auburn for which you are required to pay an Auburn B&O Tax under Auburn City Code ACC 3.54, or business required to pay an Auburn tax under ACC 3.84.040 or 3.88.040 a license is required.

3. What is a home-based business?

A home-based business allows limited commercial activity within residences providing the business does not interfere with the residential character of the neighborhood through noise, traffic, over-sized vehicles, signs, or safety hazards that may be generated. Complete information on home-based business regulations can be found at  Auburn City Code 18.04.460.

Home based businesses must apply their City of Auburn General Business License through the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) portal and select the license type of "home occupation business". 

Apply through the state BLS web system, or renew when noticed by the state, aligning the city renewal with the expiration date of your state license: Open a business - Washington Department of Revenue

4. What if I want to apply or obtain a commercial parking permit and Auburn business license?

Customers wanting to obtain a commercial parking permit are required to have a business in Auburn. They are required to live in Auburn and have a business in Auburn. To get the license and permit they would proceed as follows:

• APPLY for STATE AND CITY ENSORSMENT/LICENSE - If you do not have a state business license or city endorsement/license you would apply with the Washington Department of Revenue. On the state application or city endorsement you would indicate your business is a home-based business. 
• APPLY OR RENEW CITY ENDORSEMENT/LICENSE - If the business has a state license but no city endorsement, please go to the State BLS City Endorsement page.
• OBTAINING the commercial parking permit – Once you have your UBI/State license and city endorsement renewed or approved, you will email businesslicenses@auburnwa.gov to request the commercial parking permit. You will be asked to provide additional information to see if you qualify for the program. Not all business owners qualify.

5. How do I receive a nonprofit license?

All nonprofit businesses are required to obtain a business license. Those providing proof of their IRS 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption Status will be exempt from the licensing fee but will still hold a business license by renewing or applying with the state BLS portal unless you own a residential rental, the city will mail the annual license for any non-commercial or short-term residential rental license.

Apply through the state BLS web system, or renew when noticed by the state: Open a business - Washington Department of Revenue.

6. What entities are exempt from business licensing?

The following list summarizes the entities that are exempt from the licensing fee, but will still hold a business license per Auburn City Code 5.10.030. 

• Governmental entities
• Farmer, gardener, or other person who sells, delivers, or peddles any farm produce generated by such person in the state
• Insurance producer who represents companies or sells insurance to the public and is properly licensed by the state
• Newspaper carriers under the age of 18
• Any person, business, enterprise, firm or corporation which is exempt from licensing or taxing under state or federal law
• Community special events that are sponsored by the city and are open to the public without admission fees
• A seller located outside the city merely delivering goods into the city by means of a common carrier

Apply through the state BLS web system, or renew when noticed by the state: Open a business - Washington Department of Revenue.

7. How soon will I get my license?

The City of Auburn works to review and issue General Business license applications within 15 days provided all state and local application submittal requirements are in place. Review of the license application takes place by multiple city departments to ensure accuracy, compliance with zoning and other municipal codes, and that all other requirements are met for the business activity to take place at the specific location. 

Licenses will be sent to you upon final approval by the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS), not the City of Auburn, unless you fall into the category of a residential rental or regulatory license. If you are concerned about the Auburn endorsement or license timeline, please email us.

In most cases, Non-Resident Auburn Business Licenses (those coming into the city from outside of the city limits to engage in business) are approved in less time as the review process is not as extensive. Please email businesslicenses@auburnwa.gov to discuss your application timeline. 

8. How long is the license in effect?

City of Auburn regulatory or residential rental licenses described on Tab two of the Business License webpage apply or renew at the city. Your issued license will be active from January 1 to December 31. If you applied later or renewed later than January 1, your license will still expire December 31 of the year. Each year city staff will send renewals for you to renew your annual business license by January 1 in November or December by email and if not renewed after the email is sent, through a hard copy invoice. 

State of Washington BLS renewal or licenses are no longer on a calendar year renewal cycle and will change to your existing anniversary/renewal date with the State of Washington UBI to streamline and simplify the application and renewal process for you. Renewals will be emailed and mailed by the state BLS.

9. Can I assume the former owner’s license?

No, business licenses are nontransferable. A new owner must apply for a new business license. If you have purchased a corporation, or are using the same UBI after purchasing the company please email businesslicenses@auburnwa.gov for instructions.

10. Who can help me confirm the zoning requirements applicable to the location of my business?

If your business is in a commercial location, please contact planning@auburnwa.gov to confirm zoning requirements applicable for your location. To confirm that the building, space, or suite is an appropriate use for your type of business please contact our Plans Examiner at building@auburnwa.gov, they can assist you with information to determine if additional permits or applications are required.

11. What happens if I move my business to a new location?

All updates/changes to a business’s information, including contact information, mailing address, new business location address, or change in business activities should be processed through the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) unless your business is a residential rental or regulatory license as noted on Tab two of our Business License webpage.

Please visit www.dor.wa.gov/change to request changes. You may need to file a new business license application to change the physical address of a business.

For regulatory or residential rental licenses,  as listed on tab two of our Business License webpage, please email businesslicenses@auburnwa.gov for changes to your license.

12. What happens if I add another location within the Auburn City Limits?

All updates/changes to a business’s information, including contact information, mailing address, new business location address, or change in business activities should be processed through the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) unless you are a residential rental or regulatory business.

If you have more than one location in Auburn, you must apply for a license for each location. This means if I have a retail business in one building, or manufacturing, then have another business activity in another building, it must be licensed.

If you have one location, have one UBI, but two different businesses, with different trade names you will work to ensure that both are licensed. Please email businesslicenses@auburnwa.gov for question on how to license. The state will assist you in ensuring that both are licensed though they are at the same location with the same UBI.

Please visit www.dor.wa.gov/change to request changes. You may need to file a new business license application to change the physical address of a business or add another location. Each location within the city is required to hold a business license.

13. How do businesses determine the license fee?

Businesses are charged $107.00 for inside city business licenses and $107.00 for non-resident businesses. Rental businesses and other regulatory businesses may have a different fee structure. See the Auburn fee schedule. 

Businesses that report an annual gross revenue between $0 and $2,000 are exempt from a license and fee, this does not include business located in the city or residential rental or regulatory license. See additional items below to determine if you fall in a different category requiring a business license.

Business reporting a gross annual revenue above $2,000. are required to hold an auburn business license. See the city fee schedule for all fees associated with Auburn business licenses. 

Please note:  Many business owners determine they do not need a license because they are not physically located in the city, or do not generate an annual gross revenue above $2,001.00 which triggers the requirement to hold an Auburn business license. In addition to those requirements, a business may fall into another category and create a Nexus in Auburn and be required to hold a business license. If your place of business is not located within the city limits, but you or your agents will be physically coming into the city to conduct business, call on clients, or provide services, you will also need an Auburn business license. 

Auburn City Code (ACC) 3.53.020 (Q) and 5.10.040 (C) “Engaging in business”
Without being all inclusive, any one of the following activities conducted within the City by a person, or its employee, agent, representative, independent contractor, broker or another acting on its behalf constitutes engaging in business and requires a person to register and obtain a business license.

If you are unsure if you are required to hold a business license, email businesslicenses@auburnwa.gov to ensure you are licensed if required.

14. What are the funds collected from Business Licensing used for?

Fees collected under the program contribute to the General Fund (100%) and are used to fund a variety of city services, except for the BIA assessment which goes to The Auburn Downtown Association for district improvements. 

15. When is a business license denied?

In most cases, a business license is denied because of zoning or other code restrictions that conflict with the business activity type and the location’s zoning.  A business license can also be denied because of legal violations or indebtedness to the City.

16. What are regulatory business licenses?

A "regulatory" license is required for the following businesses. A residential rental business license is required for all residential rental business activity.

• Cabarets
• Carnival, circuses, and shows
• Dance licenses
• Massage businesses and health salons
• Outdoor musical entertainment
• Solicitors
• Taxicab and For Hire 
• Marijuana related activities
• Mobile Vendors and Food Trucks
• Residential Rental Licenses - All commercial or short-term rental business licenses will apply or renew through the Washington Department of Revenue - Open A Business page.

Regulatory and residential rental business licenses are valid January 1 to December 31 of each calendar year and must be renewed annually. Please reference the specific portion of the City Code for complete details if you operate one of the business types outlined above at Auburn City Code ACC 5.20.00. 

For soliciting, each person going door to door must obtain a license, submit a copy of their driver’s license. The approval process for a Solicitor takes approximately two weeks and an issued license is required prior to going door-to-door. 

If you are already licensed under one of these license types, a renewal email will be sent to you in November or December, hard copies will follow.

Apply for one of these license types through the city at: City of Auburn Forms webpage.

For questions, please email businesslicesnes@auburnwa.gov.

17. What if I’m not able to use the online system?

Paper copy applications are available through the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) website. For a City of Auburn General Business License, you will need to complete the standard Business License Application and the City Addendum. 

If you have any additional questions or need assistance with the paper application process, please contact the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service at bls@dor.gov or 360-705-6741.

The city regulatory and rental business license application information can be found on the City of Auburn Forms webpage. The city does not have an online process for these business types but staff can assist you - please contact businesslicenses@auburnwa.gov.

18. Where are the State Business Licensing Service Physical Locations if I wanted to process in person?

Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) has multiple locations throughout the region where you can access services in person. Please visit www.dor.wa.gov/contact-us for information and office locations.

19. I have additional general business licensing questions, where can I find more information?

Please visit the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) FAQ’s for additional information regarding applications, renewals, fees, endorsements, and the overall process, steps, and what to expect.