Start a Specific Business in Washington
Industry-by-industry guides to licenses, permits, startup costs and first steps for 60 kinds of Washington business.
New to this? Start with the Washington business formation guide, then come back for the specifics.
a Courier and Delivery BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Catering BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Junk Removal BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Handyman BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Bakery BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Towing BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Coffee Shop BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Lawn Care BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a General Contractor Business: L&I Registration, $30,000 Bond and $150.20 Fee, No ExamLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Specialty Contractor Business: 63 L&I Specialties, $15,000 Bond and What Each Can DoLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →an Electrical Contracting Business: $353.90 L&I License, $4,000 Bond and a Designated Master ElectricianLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Plumbing Business: L&I Plumbing Contractor License, $148.10 Fee and $6,000 BondLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →an HVAC Business: No State HVAC License, So Here Is the L&I HVAC/R Registration You NeedLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Roofing Business: L&I Roofing Specialty Registration, $15,000 Bond and the No-Structural-Repair LimitLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Landscaping Business: When Landscaping Needs L&I Registration and a WSDA Pesticide LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Pest Control Business: WSDA Applicator $243, Operator $78 and the Structural Pest Inspector LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Solar Installation Business: No Solar License, the L&I Electrical Contractor License Is the GateLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Moving Company: UTC Household Goods Permit, $550 Fee and State-Set Tariff 15-C RatesLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Trucking Company: UTC Common Carrier Permit $275, USDOT at 16,001 lb and 1.8% Public Utility TaxLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Car Dealership: DOL Dealer License $975, $30,000 Bond and the Dealer Education CertificateLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Real Estate Brokerage: Broker, Managing Broker and Firm Licenses, $304 Firm Fee and 90 HoursLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Home Inspection Business: 120 Training Hours, $720 First License and the One-Year Repair BanLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →an Insurance Agency: OIC Producer License, No Pre-Licensing Course Since 2023 and 0.484% B&OLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →How to Open a Hair Salon: DOL Shop License $121, Operator Licenses and the Booth Renter RuleLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →an Esthetician or Skin Care Business: 750 Hours, Master Esthetician Lasers and the $121 Shop LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Massage Therapy Business: DOH License $210, $150 Annual Renewal and the Employer Advertising RuleLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →How to Open a Tattoo Shop: DOL Artist License $275 and Shop License $330 a YearLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Home Daycare: DCYF Family Home License, $30 a Year and a License That Does Not ExpireLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →How to Open a Child Care Center: DCYF License $125 Plus $12 Per Child, Director Rules and the 2030 ECE DeadlineLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Home Care Agency: DOH License $5,000 Initial Fee, Mandatory Orientation and Home Care Aide CertificationLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →an Adult Family Home: DSHS License, 48-Hour Business Class and Up to 6 or 8 ResidentsLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Security Guard Company: DOL License, $25,000 Insurance and Sales Tax on Security Services Since Oct 2025Licenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Funeral Home: DOL Establishment License, a Director in Service and the Natural Organic Reduction LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Staffing Agency: No Temp License, but 2025 Sales Tax on Staffing and a $2,000 Placement Agency BondLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →How to Open a Restaurant: Health Permit $441 to $1,386 in King County, Plan Review and the Spirits QuotaLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Food Truck: Permit $240 to $1,260 by County and the RCW 43.20.148 Commissary ExemptionLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Drive-Through Espresso Stand: The 2022 End of the Unplumbed-Stand Rule, Permits and ZoningLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Cottage Food Business: WSDA Permit $355, $35,000 Cap and 50 ProductsLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Food Manufacturing Business: WSDA Food Processor License $92 to $862 by Sales and the Direct Seller LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Craft Brewery: Microbrewery $150, Domestic Brewery $2,100 and Four Retail LicensesLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Winery: Domestic Winery License $150 or $600, Four Extra Tasting Rooms and 100 Cases a Month to RetailersLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Distillery: $150 Craft License, $2,100 Standard License and the 30% Cocktail CapLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →How to Open a Bar or Tavern: 2026 LCB Fees $300 to $2,700, the 1-in-1,200 Quota and Five-Year Server PermitsLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →How to Open a Liquor Store or Bottle Shop: Grocery $550, Specialty Shop $150 and the 10,000 Square Foot Spirits RuleLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →How to Open a Cannabis Retail Store: $250 Application, $1,781 Annual Fee and the Social Equity RouteLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Gun Store: City or County Dealer License $125, Alarm Rules and the 2027 Permit to PurchaseLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Card Room or Gambling Business: Gambling Commission Fees From $11,000 and the 15-Table CapLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Farm or Orchard Business: The $14 Billion Ag Economy, Apples and the Licenses a Farm TouchesLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Seafood or Shellfish Business: WDFW Fish Dealer $400, Buyer Endorsement $50 and DOH Shellfish CertificatesLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Fishing Charter or Guide Business: Charter License $375 to $460, Guide License $305 and $300,000 InsuranceLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Whale Watching or Paddle Tour Business: WDFW Licenses $200 and 0.275% B&OLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Hotel, Motel or Bed and Breakfast: DOH Lodging License $230 to $922 for Three or More UnitsLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Short-Term Rental Business: 30-Day Tax Line, the DOH Three-Unit License and Seattle's $75 Operator FeeLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →an E-Commerce or Amazon FBA Business: $100,000 Economic Nexus, B&O and Reseller PermitsLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Software or Tech Company: Sales Tax on Software Since 2025, 1.5% to 2.1% B&O Tiers and the 2028 Income TaxLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →a Nonprofit: Charitable Solicitation Registration $60, the $50,000 Exemption and the $3 Million Audit LineLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →Starting a Food Truck in Seattle: King County Permit From $630, SDOT Vending Permit and the Seattle LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →Starting a Short-Term Rental in Seattle: $75 STR License, the Two-Unit Cap and the $4 a Night Platform FeeLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →Starting a Short-Term Rental in Spokane: City Permit $200 or $300, Life Safety Form and the Business LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →Starting a Food Truck in Tacoma: $225 City License, TPCHD Permit and the Seven Curbside SitesLicenses, permits and startup costs in WashingtonRead the guide →