Business Licensing

Not sure where to begin? Contact the Department of Revenue for information on starting a business in Washington state.

Which businesses need a Snohomish County business license?

Most businesses do not need a Snohomish County business license. If your business meets both conditions below, you must license your business with Snohomish County Licensing. Your employees may also need licenses.

If your business doesn't meet these conditions, other county requirements regarding occupancy and zoning may still apply.


  • The business is a Title 6 business under county code.

Snohomish County Licensing only licenses the following businesses and their employees:

  • Adult Businesses
  • Adult Entertainment Dance Studios
  • Adult Panorams 
  • Bathhouses
  • Pawnbrokers
  • Secondhand Dealers

 Learn more about how these businesses are defined on the Business Types and Licensing Fees page. Animal Services licenses kennels and animal businesses.

AND

  • The business will be located and/or operate in unincorporated Snohomish County.

Our service area covers the parts of Snohomish County that are outside city and town limits. If you will operate within city limits, you must contact the appropriate city hall for business licensing.

  1. Apply for New Business or Employee License
  2. Renew Business or Employee License

New Business

1. Request an application and make an appointment

After registering your business with the state and receiving a UBI number, contact Snohomish County Licensing to request an application and make an appointment.

By phone

Call 425-388-3371

By email

Licensing@snoco.org


2. Complete application and gather required documents

For your application appointment, you'll need to bring:

  • Completed application form
  • Cash, check, money order, or credit card for application fee(s)
  • Separate check or money order for sheriff fingerprinting
  • Four passport photos taken in the last six months
  • Copy of government-issued ID
  • Proof of insurance

3. Attend appointment to submit documents and be fingerprinted

  • Licensing staff will document the receipt of your application and direct you to the Sheriff's Office for fingerprinting. 
  • Licensing will process your application within 60 days. Staff will also forward your application to other county offices, such as Planning & Development Services, when their approval is required by county code.
  • You will receive a letter approving your application or denying it with further instructions.

New Employee

1. Request an application and make an appointment

Contact Snohomish County Licensing to request an application and make an appointment.

By phone

Call 425-388-3371

By email

Licensing@snoco.org


2. Complete application and gather required documents

For your application appointment, you'll need to bring:

  • Completed application form
  • Cash, check, money order, or credit card for application fee(s)
  • Separate check or money order for sheriff fingerprinting
  • Four passport photos taken in the last six months
  • Copy of government-issued ID

3. Attend appointment to submit documents and be fingerprinted

  • Licensing staff will document the receipt of your application and direct you to the Sheriff's Office for fingerprinting. 
  • Licensing will process your application within 60 days.
  • You will receive a letter approving your application or denying it with further instructions.