Business License

Registering a Business in Washington

Are you thinking of starting a business in Bremerton?

Apply for your State and City license here. Be sure to add Bremerton as an endorsement to your State license if you are located in the City or are working here.

Who Needs a City Business License?

Most businesses operating in Bremerton are required to have a Bremerton business license in addition to their State license. Complete the License Check Sheet (PDF) to learn more. Business licenses are needed for:

• Retail sales and service
• Wholesale
• Providing professional or personal services
• Manufacturing 

Effective 2019: Any person or business whose annual value of products, gross proceeds of sales or gross income of the business in the city is equal to or less than $2,000 AND does not maintain a place of business within the city shall be exempt from the general business license requirement. The exemption does not apply to regulatory license requirements that require a specialized permit.

Regulatory Endorsements

The City of Bremerton regulates taxis, adult entertainment, street vendors, mobile vendors, peddlers and some other business types. These businesses require both a standard business license and a regulatory license. For more information, please visit the Regulatory Licenses tab above.

Licensing Information for Specific Business Types

• Businesses based outside Bremerton – If your business is based outside Bremerton and you do business within the city, then you must have a Bremerton business license. In other words, you need a license for where you conduct business; not just for where you're located.
• Subcontractors – Subcontractors need a Bremerton business license even if the contractor they are working with already has one. The license is valid only for the legal owner listed on it.
• Non-profits – If you raise funds in Bremerton, whether as a for-profit or nonprofit organization, you must have a Bremerton business license.
• Online-only business – Contact us if you have questions about licensing for online-only businesses. You may need a Bremerton business license if your business originates from Bremerton or has servers within city limits.
• Home-based business – Businesses based in a Bremerton home usually need a Bremerton business license and land use permit ($73.00 permit fee). Contact us if you have questions about licensing for home-based businesses. Please read these regulations if you are applying for a home occupation business. 

Applying for a New Business License

Apply for your State and City license here. Please be aware that your license fee is nonrefundable if your application is denied. If you are unsure if the Bremerton Endorsement is necessary for your business, please call our office prior to applying for or making payment to the Washington DOR.

Since the State will be processing all general business license applications after 7/15/21, we can no longer accept business license applications at our City offices after that date.

Closing & Selling Businesses

If you close or sell your business you must notify the City of Bremerton in writing of the change. We cannot close your account over the phone! Please use the closure box in the lower left-hand corner of the tax form to indicate the closure/sale date or access your account online here and mark the closure box in your account information. If you have already filed your tax return you may email taxinfo@ci.bremerton.wa.us with your account number, business name and last day of business in Bremerton. The tax form must be filed with our office within 10 days after your last day of business in Bremerton. 

More Information

• A change in ownership of a business requires that the new owner apply for a new license.
• If a business is conducted at 2 or more places within the city, a separate license is required for each place at which business is conducted.
• If more than 1 business is conducted at a single location, a separate license is required for each business.

Beginning in 2022, business license renewals will be managed by the Washington State Department of Revenue BLS. Please access your State license here to review your license status.

Because the State is now processing all general business license renewal fees, we will no longer be able to accept your renewal at the City.

When do you need a Regulatory License? 

Regulatory licenses are required for the following activities and businesses: 

• Charitable Solicitation (Nonprofit), Professional Fundraiser
• Dance / Public
• Erotic Dance Studios Dancers
• Peddlers
• Mobile Food Vendor
• Street Vendor
• Temporary Merchant