Licenses & Permits

Starting a Business in Washington State and Yakima County

All new businesses need to obtain a Washington state business license and a Unified Business Identification Number (UBI). In addition, certain business activities require special registration or agency authorization such as selling liquor, cigarettes, and lottery tickets. You can get the Master Business Application forms online from the Department of Licensing in Olympia.

Follow this step-by-step online guide to licensing a business in Washington State.

• A copy of the completed Master Business Application is forwarded to the Washington State Department of Revenue who will then send you the appropriate state tax forms and information for your business
• Check with your local city and county to see if any business license is required. Check with your local health department for food handling permits and licenses.
• If you are going to hire employees you will need to get an Employee Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. A good source of tax information for small businesses is the “Tax Info For Business” section of the IRS web site.
• Contact the Secretary of State to file Articles of Incorporation or a Certificate of Limited Partnership if your business has either type of ownership. 360-753-7115 in Olympia.

Requirements may vary depending on if you are located in your home, within city limits or within Yakima County. Be sure to check requirements on zoning before you purchase or rent a commercial property or if you will be starting a home-based business.

Find business registration requirements for local cities in Yakima County, Yakima County, Washington State and the Internal Revenue Service.

Not sure where to start? Click here.

Helpful Links

• Yakima County
  • Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority
  • Yakima County Health District
• Doing Business in Washington State
  • Washington State Liquor Control Board
  • Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED)
  • Department of Ecology (DOE)
  • Department of Labor and Industries (L&I)
  • Department of Labor Relations
  • Department of Licensing (DOL)
  • Department of Revenue (DOR)
  • Employment Security Department (ESD)
  • Secretary of State’s Office (SEC)
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)