Business License Fees
License fees are determined based on a company’s worldwide gross income and revenues. The fees support essential City services such as public safety officers and street maintenance.
The table below outlines the license fees for the past several years. Gross income is defined as total business income regardless of location.
Annual License Fees
*501(c)3 Organizations – the fee is not determined on anticipated gross income. Proof of 501(c)3 status is required. Submit proof to licenseinfo@tacoma.gov.
| Gross Income Threshold | Annual License Fee | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 - 2016 | 2017 - 2022 | 2023 | 2024-2026 | |
| 501(c)3 Organizations*Â | $25Â | $25Â Â | $25Â | $37 |
| Under $12,000 / branch location | $25 | $25 | $25 | $37 |
| $12,000 - $250,000Â | $90Â | $110Â | $130Â | $190 |
| $250,001 - $1,000,000Â | $250Â | $250Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | $300Â Â Â Â Â | $435 |
| $1,000,000 - $5,000,000Â | $250Â | $250Â | $1,000Â Â Â | $1500 |
| Over $5,000,000Â | $250Â | $250Â | $1,500Â Â Â | $2000 |
Regulatory Business License
The City of Tacoma requires inspection of certain business activities prior to the activity occurring. Below are license types and fees that require application for certain types of business activity. The fees are set to cover the City’s cost of regulation, inspection and compliance of the business activity.
| License Type | Fees |
|---|---|
| Adult Entertainment Establishment | $2,400 |
| Adult Entertainment Establishment - Renewal | $600 |
| Adult Entertainment Entertainer | $150 |
| Adult Entertainment Manager | $150 |
| Picture Machine Location | $100 |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/ Liquor Class ‘A’ | $2,400 |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/ Liquor Class ‘A’ – Renewal | $600 |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/ Liquor Class ‘B’ | $450 |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/ Liquor Class ‘B’ – Renewal | $300 |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/ Liquor Class ‘C’ | $180 |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/ Liquor Class ‘C’ – Renewal | $120 |
| Security Personnel | $50 |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/out Liquor (0 to 2,999 sq ft)Â | $150Â |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/out Liquor (0 to 2,999 sq ft) – Renewal | $100 |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/out Liquor (3,000 to 6,000 sq ft)Â | $220Â |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/out Liquor (3,000 to 6,000 sq ft) – Renewal | $170 |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/out Liquor (over 6,000 sq ft)Â | $300Â |
| Entertainment & Dancing w/out Liquor (over 6,000 sq ft) – Renewal | $250 |
| Fire Alarms & Fire Suppression Systems | $90 |
| Garage Automotive and/or Marine vessel parts store | $50 |
| Garage Repair | $100 |
| Garage Service station | $100 |
| Garage Storage, garage, and parking lots | $50 |
| Garage Vehicle part recycling facility | $100 |
| Hazardous Materials – 1>st> year | $150 |
| Hazardous Materials - Renewal | $90 |
| Home Occupation – One-time fee unless business activity changes | $75 |
| Hotels | $75 |
| Live/Work –Work/Live - One-time fee | $75 |
| Oil & Gas Tank Vehicle | $100 |
| Pawnbroker | $250 |
| Secondhand goods | $100 |
| Secondhand goods, temporary sale – per day | $50 |
| Sales – Door to door soliciting – 6-month term | $90 |
| Sales – Food Truck Vendor | $225 |
| Sales – Sidewalk Vendor – Application | $100 |
| Sales – Sidewalk Vendor | $50 |
| For-hire vehicle | $75 |
| For-hire vehicle with meter | $125 |
| For hire driver (bi-annual)Â | $50Â |
| Temporary event – Multiple Vendor – per vendor/per day | $5 |