Frequently Asked Questions

Ellensburg requires all businesses to be licensed with the city if they are:

• Located within city limits, or
• Conducting business within city limits.

Ellensburg general business license – every person engaging in business in the City of Ellensburg is required to obtain a business license. Engaging in business means commencing, conducting, or continuing in any business, and also the exercise of corporate or franchise powers, as well as liquidating a business when the liquidators hold themselves out to the public as conducting such business.

Ellensburg general business (non-resident) license – businesses located outside the City of Ellensburg that engage in any business activity inside the City limits.

Ellensburg home occupation business license – any activity undertaken for gain or profit that results in a product or service and is carried on in a dwelling, or building accessory to a dwelling inside the City limits requires an Ellensburg home occupation business license.

Home occupations will also need a Home Occupation Permit through the City of Ellensburg Community Development Department. See Ellensburg City Code 15.340.020 for applicable standards.

However, if the proposed activity consists entirely of office procedures and tasks in support of a particular business, and involves no customer or delivery traffic in conjunction with the business, such activity shall be considered an accessory residential use and shall instead require a General Business License.

Ellensburg temporary business license – includes any person who engages in business for less than 90 consecutive days within any 12-month period selling and delivering goods, wares and merchandise and who in furtherance of such purpose hires, leases or occupies any building, structure, parking lot or area, motor vehicle, tent, railroad boxcar, public room in hotels, motels, lodging houses, apartments, shops, or other fixed location for the exhibition and sale of such goods, wares, and merchandise.

Ellensburg temporary business licenses are applied for through the City of Ellensburg Finance Department, not through the State’s MyDOR system.

License fee is determined by number of employees (see Ellensburg City Code 6.54.120).

See Requirements and Fee Calculation Instructions

*Nonprofit businesses qualify for the nonprofit license if they submit a copy of the business’ IRS 501(c) certificate with their application and are exempt from the city fees.

**Home occupations shall be permitted in accordance with the use tables in Ellensburg City Code 15.310.040 subject to criteria in Ellensburg City Code 15.340.020. Home Occupations will need a Home Occupation Permit that is applied for and paid through the City of Ellensburg Community Development Department.

Exempt businesses

Some businesses may be exempt from getting a city business license. For more information, please contact the City Clerk directly at 509-925-8614.

With the exception of Ellensburg temporary business licenses which are applied for through the City of Ellensburg Finance Department, apply for ALL other City of Ellensburg business licenses using one of the following options:

• Online with My DOR. My DOR works best with Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
  1. Login using your Secure Access Washington (SAW) user ID. If you don’t have a user ID or aren’t sure, see if you have an account first before signing up.
  2. Once logged in, click the green "Get Started" button.
  3. Follow the steps below based on your business status.

If you do not have an existing business

• Click File Business License Application. Be sure to select the endorsements for which you wish to apply.

If you have an existing business

1. If you haven’t already, add access to your business. You’ll need a UBI number and letter ID.
2. Click on the business you want to apply for a license/endorsement under, then click on the location.
3. Click Add License Endorsements/Employees.

You can pay using an E–check or a major credit card (gift cards can’t be used).

Find more help for using My DOR, including video tutorials.

• Mail us the appropriate fee with the following completed forms:
  • Business License Application
  • City Business License Addendum

Mail your completed application, supplemental forms, and a check or money order payable to “Department of Revenue” for the fees to:

State of Washington
Business Licensing Service
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034

CONTACT INFORMATION

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BUSINESS LICENSES

P.O. Box 9034

Olympia, WA 98507-9034

MY DOR AND SECURE ACCESS WASHINGTON QUESTIONS

1-360-705-6741

BLS@dor.wa.gov

CITY OF ELLENSBURG

501 North Anderson Street

Ellensburg, WA 98926

GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE QUESTIONS

Ellensburg Finance Department

(509) 925-8614

Email City Clerk

CITY OF ELLENSBURG HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT AND

ZONING QUESTIONS

Ellensburg Community Development Department

 (509) 962-7239

Email Community Development