Business Licensing

Alert: If you are a rental property owner looking to renew your business license, that renewal must be done through the Rental Housing Safety Program site. The site is currently down with an unknown timeline of when it will be restored. Please check back periodically to see if the site is live. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

Businesses are required to obtain a state business license to operate a business in Washington and a City of Lakewood business license to operate a business in Lakewood.

Note: inspections may be required prior to issuing your business license. All tenant improvements must be completed with a certificate of occupancy prior to issuance of a City of Lakewood business license.

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Businesses are required to obtain a state business license to operate a business in Washington and a City of Lakewood business license to operate a business in Lakewood.

You may apply for a City business license or renew your state and City licenses at the same time using the state Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service’s online renewal portal.

Your renewal form will list the city of Lakewood license fee and an $11 Business Licensing Service renewal processing fee. Your first renewal may be prorated in order to change your current city license expiration date to match the expiration tied to your state license. This may take anywhere from 3-14 months. This is typical for any business with licenses related to liquor, tobacco, gasoline, cities and others. After a year, all the licenses will renew at the same time.

Business Applications and Forms

Certain businesses require specialty licenses to operate in Lakewood. Specialty licenses require business owners to register in person at the City’s Development Services counter. Fill out the appropriate form below before coming to City Hall.

Specialty License Applications

• Adult cabaret business license
• Adult entertainment application
• Adult entertainment manager application
• Adult Family Home submission standards
• Automotive industry business application
• Cabaret application
• Christmas tree lots and seasonal sales: A temporary business license and temporary use permit approved by the community development director are required.
• Commercial kennels, hobby kennels, grooming parlor or pet shop licenses
• Panoram manager business license application
• Panoram owner/operator license application
• Panoram premise license application
• Pawnshops (click here to read LeadsOnline requirements)
• Temporary business license: Applications must be submitted in person, with one valid form of identification at City Hall, second floor permit counter from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Applications for the specialty licenses listed below are only available in person at the Development Services counter. You must make an appointment to talk to a permit technician or planner for an application.

• Bathhouse
• Massage businesses
• Public dances, dance halls and teenage dances
• Secondhand sales
• Solicitor’s and peddler’s permit requirements: All persons conducting door-to-door solicitation in the city of Lakewood, whether you are located inside or outside of the city, are required to obtain a city of Lakewood general business license, and apply for a Solicitor/Peddler permit.

Important Business License Links

• Closing business declaration
• Lakewood Municipal Code, Title 5 (Business licenses and City regulations)
• State Labor and Industries (verify contractor license number)
• Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (opening a food business, mobile unit, catering or vending)