Business License Requirements
A City business license is required prior to operating a business within the city limits, including those businesses that are located outside the city limits but perform services for customers inside city limits. Detailed information about business license requirements can be found in the Kirkland Municipal Code, Title 7, with most of the information for general business licenses contained within Kirkland Municipal Code, Chapter 7.02.
Short-Term Rentals
In addition to maintaining a City business license, each short-term rental must meet other requirements. For more information about short-term rental requirements, please refer to the Kirkland Municipal Code as well as our Short-Term Rentals webpage.
Applying for or Renewing a Business License
The City of Kirkland partners with the Washington State Department of Revenue, Business License Service (BLS). All applications for new City business licenses and renewals are processed through the BLS portal.
Apply For Your Business License
Look Up a Business License
Information about all businesses licensed through the Washington State Department of Revenue, including City of Kirkland businesses can be accessed through DOR's "Look up a business" tool. If you believe a business is operating within the City of Kirkland without a City business license, please visit the OurKirkland portal.
How Business License Fees are used
Business license fees help pay for services that businesses need including those provided through the City’s Economic Development Program. To learn more about why the City collects a business tax, what services are supported by the tax and how Kirkland compares to other cities, read the “License Fee Supports Business Services" handout.