The City of Port Angeles has partnered with the Washington State Department of Revenue and their Business Licensing Service (BLS) to simplify the City business licensing process. Starting June 17, 2025, businesses in Port Angeles will be able to complete both city and state licensing requirements through a “one-stop shop,” easy-to-use web portal managed by BLS.
This new process replaces the City’s specialty license program and provides a more efficient and user-friendly way for businesses to manage their business licensing. Under the former program, the City maintained 15 different specialty licenses for a variety of businesses and organizations. Many of the specialty license requirements were outdated, and each included a unique set of forms and fees. Meanwhile, obtaining the state-required business license from the Department of Revenue was a completely separate procedure.
By partnering with BLS, Port Angeles joins over 200 Washington cities, including Sequim and Port Townsend, to offer a one-stop shop for city and state business licensing. Starting June 17, businesses will be able to simultaneously apply for or renew their Washington State Business License and Port Angeles City Endorsement (also referred to as a City of Port Angeles Business License), along with endorsements from hundreds of other participating cities from across the state. Applicants will receive one Business License from BLS which will include their City Endorsement(s).
All individuals and entities conducting business in Port Angeles will be required to obtain a Port Angeles City Endorsement on their Washington State Business License. While certain entities, such as non-profit organizations, will be exempt from licensing fees, they will still be required to obtain a business license and city endorsement.
New businesses can access the secure online portal and begin the licensing process at: https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license.
Existing businesses, those with a current Washington State Business License, can apply for a Port Angeles City Endorsement at the time of license renewal. No action is needed until their Washington State Business License is up for renewal.
For additional details, please see the “Frequently Asked Questions” listed below, or visit our website. You can also contact the City’s Business License Administrator at (360) 417-4924 or businesslicenses@cityofpa.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a City Endorsement and who needs to obtain one?
A City Endorsement is required for businesses operating in cities that have partnered with the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS). It serves as a business license for those cities and is issued as an endorsement attached to your state business license. Those wishing to conduct business in multiple cities may obtain multiple endorsements through BLS.
Any individual or entity located in or conducting business in the city limits of Port Angeles is required to obtain a Port Angeles City Endorsement on their Washington State Business License according to the timeline detailed below:
- New Businesses: Starting June 17, 2025, any new business must apply for both a Washington State Business License and Port Angeles City Endorsement. This can be done simultaneously through the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service (BLS).
- Existing Businesses: If you already have a Washington State Business License and need to add a city endorsement, you can do so online at the time of license renewal. No action is needed until that time.
2. Do I need a State of Washington Business License in order to obtain a City Endorsement?
Yes. The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) issues a “Uniform Business Identification” (UBI) number as part of the state business license. The State UBI registers a business entity for state tax purposes and is mandatory prior to obtaining a City Endorsement on your state business license. Only a City Endorsement on a State business license allows a business to do business in Port Angeles.
3. When and how do I apply for a business license in the City of Port Angeles?
The City of Port Angeles is partnering with the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) to handle City business licensing. This provides businesses with a “one-stop shop” for obtaining City Endorsements throughout the state. Applicants will receive one Business License from BLS which will include their City Endorsement(s).
- New Businesses: Starting June 17, 2025, any new business must apply for both a Washington State Business License and Port Angeles City Endorsement. This can be done simultaneously through the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service (BLS). An application can be filed online using My DOR, or by mail using the paper application form.
- Existing Businesses: If you already have a Washington State Business License and need to add a city endorsement, you can do so online at the time of license renewal. No action is needed until that time.
4. How much will a City of Port Angeles Business Endorsement/License Cost?
The annual fee is based on annual gross revenues. Fee exemptions include non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, and businesses with an annual gross revenue of $25,000 or less. See table below.
| Annual Gross Revenue in Port Angeles | Annual Business License Fee |
|
|---|
| $0 to $25,000 and non-profit organizations | $0 per year (fee-exempt) |
|
| $25,001+ | $190.00 per year |
|
While certain entities, including non-profit organizations, will be exempt from licensing fees, they will still be required to obtain a business license and city endorsement. Please note that Short-Term Lodging businesses are licensed separately by the City and are exempt from these new requirements.
5. Are there exemptions from the business license and city endorsement requirement?
Yes. Short-Term Lodging (STL) business licensing is not affected by this new program. Owners and operators of short-term lodging properties and the platforms that promote them must continue to comply with existing licensing and regulatory requirements per Chapters 17.23 and 17.24 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code.
Additionally, small scale activities such as casual garage sales or lemonade stands, are exempt from the business license requirement. If you have a question about exemptions, please contact the City’s Business License Administrator at (360) 417-4924 or businesslicenses@cityofpa.us.
6. Does my fee-exempt organization need to obtain a Port Angeles City Endorsement?
Yes, any individual or entity doing business in city limits is required to obtain a Port Angeles City Endorsement on their Washington State Business License. The state’s Business Licensing Service (BLS) will apply the fee exemption based on the information provided during the application process.
7. How do I update my business information?
Updates, such as to your business name or mailing address, should be reported to the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) online or sent by mail using the Business Information Change Form.
8. What if I sell my business?
The City Endorsement on your State Business License is unique and non-transferrable. The new owner must apply for a new Washington State Business License with City Endorsement.
9. I have obtained a Specialty Business License from the City of Port Angeles in the past. What does this new program mean for me?
In November 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance 3737 to implement a General City Business License Program. As a result, businesses in Port Angeles will no longer be required to hold a specialty business license. Instead, all businesses operating within city limits will be required to obtain a City Endorsement from the State of Washington Business Licensing Service (BLS).
10. When and how do I renew my State Business License?
State Business Licenses with City Endorsements must be renewed annually. An expiration date can be found in the upper right-hand corner of your license. Renewals are due before the expiration date.
State Business Licenses can be renewed online or filed by mail. Please contact the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) by phone at (360) 705-6705 to have a paper copy of your renewal form, with the itemized fees for your accounts, mailed to the mailing address on file.
11. How will my proprietary business data be protected?
Applications and business data are submitted directly to the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR). No physical copies of forms or data are held by the City. Only select City staff, who have signed a Confidentiality Agreement with DOR, are granted access to view applications through the secure portal.
12. How can I find out if a business has a valid business license from the State of Washington?
You can visit the DOR website (https://dor.wa.gov/businesses) to look up a business or reseller permit.
13. I need help applying for a State Business License and/or City Endorsement. Who do I talk to?
Please contact the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service (BLS) at (360) 705-6741.