Business Licenses
PMC 18.48.150 (Home Occupations)
Who is required to obtain a license?
Poulsbo Municipal Code Chapter 5.04 requires that anyone conducting business within the city limits of Poulsbo obtain a business license.
A change in ownership of a business requires that the new owner apply for a new license.
Home businesses that require a Home Occupation Permit (HOP) must obtain a business license.
If business is transacted at two or more places within the city, a separate license is required for each place at which business is transacted.
If more than one business is conducted at a single location, a separate license is required for each business.
Exceptions
Business licenses are not required of any farmer, gardener or other person to sell, deliver or peddle any fruits, vegetables, berries, eggs or any farm produce or edibles raised, gathered, produced or manufactured by such person.
Business licenses are not required of any minor engaging in a de minimis entrepreneurial venture with permission of the property owner, including, but not limited to such trade and activities as running a lemonade stand.
Business licenses are not required for incidental home businesses that meet the following provisions:
- No clients, customers, or students will be coming to my home
- I will not have deliveries coming to or going from my home for business purposes more than twice a week
- I will conduct my business entirely within my home or accessory building
- I will not display merchandise or store materials outside my home
- My home will not have any outward characteristics of a business
- My home business will not produce offensive noise, dust, vibration, smoke fumes, odors, heat, light or glare
- I will not use more than one-fourth of the total floor space of my home or accessory building for my home business
- I will not display any business signs.
Fees
| New Application |
$75.00 |
| Renewal |
$50.00 |
| Pro-rated Renewal |
$25.00 |
| Special Event |
$25.00 |
| Temporary |
$20.00 |
| Non-Profit |
$0.00 |
Types of Licenses
New Application
New applications must be completed by anyone who is conducting business within the city limits.
New applications must also be completed by anyone who is assuming the ownership of a previously licensed business.
Renewals
Notices for business license renewals are sent out at the end of December each year. Payment for renewals are due by the end of January. Any business which fails to obtain and pay the license fees prior to February 1st shall be assessed a sum of $10.00 per month as a penalty for each month such payment is overdue.
Pro-Rated Renewal
Any business which is not physically located within the city limits, has previously been licensed in the city and does not conduct business within the city until after June 30th may pay the pro-rated renewal fee.
Special Event Business Licenses
The promoter or sponsor of any City approved special event within the city is required to obtain a special event master license to cover all dealers/vendors involved in the activity/special event.
Along with the application, the sponsor of the special event shall provide the City Clerk's office with a list of all participating dealers/vendors and a map of layout of booths and booth numbers at least ten days prior to the event. This list shall include:
- Vendor's name
- Business name
- Mailing address
- Telephone number
- State Sales Tax number
The following special events are exempt from the requirement to obtain a special event master license:
- Dances or other social events conducted by schools or churches
- Temporary sales conducted by businesses, such as holiday sales, grand opening/closing sales or anniversary sales
- One-day bazaars or arts and craft shows sponsored by churches, lodges or other non-profit social groups
- Garage sales and rummage sales
- Organized amateur sporting events such as little league baseball, amateur soccer, and day camps sponsored by the city's recreation department
- Charitable, religious or non-profit organizations on premises under their control
- Other similar events and activities which do not directly affect or use city services
Temporary Business License
A temporary business license may be obtained by a business which will be conducting business within the City for ten days within any three consecutive months. Temporary licenses are not renewable during a calendar year.
Non-Profit Business License
Non-profit organizations are required to complete a business license application. There is no charge for the application unless it also qualifies as a special event.
Term of Licenses
Business licenses are valid from the time they are approved through December 31st of the same year.
Temporary business licenses are valid for no more than ten days during any three consecutive months from the time business is first conducted.
Special event licenses are valid for the length of the event.
Application Procedures
Forms are available at City Hall or can be downloaded here (fillable or print-out). Please submit the completed form to the City Clerk's Department.
The application will be routed to city departments for approval. This usually takes ten days. If a license is needed immediately, the applicant may request that they personally take the application to each department to obtain the required signatures.
Upon approval, the City Clerk's Department will issue the license.
If the application is denied for some reason, an appeal process is available. Contact the City Clerk for information on the appeal procedures.
