DOWNTOWN BUSINESS START-UP CHECKLIST


Starting or expanding a business is an exciting, challenging and sometimes complicated process. One of the primary functions of Main Streetª Issaquah is to provide advocacy for all existing and potential businesses within Historic Downtown Issaquah. This checklist has been designed as a guide to the requirements for starting a business or making changes to an existing one in the City of Issaquah.

There are a number of ways we can help you, including: assisting with permits and licenses from the City; arranging for free or reduced cost design services; locating an appropriate new or expanded location for your business; fostering networking; providing financing resources; and encouraging collaboration on marketing and promotions.

This assistance plus a packet of all necessary forms is available by joining Main Streetª Issaquah. Membership is $75 per year. To join or get further information, please call our Executive Director, Greg Spranger, at 425-391-1112 or see our membership form online.

REQUIRED OF ALL BUSINESSES

  • City Business License. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 425-837-3000. A business license is required for anyone who operates or engages in any business in the City even in one's home. The cost is $40 to apply and $30 per year after. It takes two weeks to process and 4-6 weeks to receive the Official Form.
  • Master Business Application. There is a one-stop registration process for doing business in Washington. Filling out the Master Application will get you your Unified Business Identifier (UBI) and Master License Service Registrations and Licenses. By filling out Section J, you can register with the Department of Labor & Industries, Department of Revenue and the Employment Security Department as well. You can request a Master Application by calling the Dept. of Licensing at 360 664-1400.
    You can also access the Department of Licensing at www.wa.gov/DOL
  • Employer Identification Number. One of the first steps in starting a business is to apply for an Employer Identification Number. To do this fill our IRS Form SS-4 which can be obtained by calling 1-800-829-3676 and requesting the form.

APPLICABLE TO MANY BUSINESSES

  • Use Permit. Every building must have a Use or occupancy permit that allows the current or intended business use. Any changes in occupancy for example, retail to office use, require a building permit for change of use. This can be obtained at the Building Department at 425-837-3100 or by visiting their Permit Center.
  • Sign Permit. A sign permit is required for the placement of any sign at your place of business, including temporary signs. Apply for a sign permit at the Permit Center at 425-837-3100. The fees for a sign permit are based upon the value of the signs and range from a minimum of $15 to a maximum of $205. Temporary signs fees are $15 or $60 for a 60 day A-frame sign. Signs valued at over $1,000 also required an additional plan check fee which is equal to 50% of the permit fee.
  • Traffic Concurrency. The City has a requirement that all new or changing use (commercial and residential) within the City must meet traffic concurrency standards. In effect, a project may not cause added traffic. For information regarding concurrency, contact the Planning Department at 425-837-3080.
  • Parking. Parking requirements apply whenever a building is constructed or expanded or whenever a use within a building is changed. Contact the Planning Department for information at 425-837-3080.
  • Industrial Insurance Coverage. This insurance is required for most persons employed in the State. It is paid by classification and experience rating on a per hour basis and reported quarterly to the Department of Labor and Industries. You should receive information from them automatically once you submit Section J of the Master Business Application. Dept. Of Labor & Industries number is 206 281-5475.

GENERAL INFORMATION

    LOCAL

    • General City Information Line. The City has an automated information line at 425-837-3007. It provides: department phone numbers; commonly called public service numbers; directions to City facilities and hours; and information about the City Council, senior discounts on cable TV, pet licenses, elected officials and city demographics, and business licenses.
    • Business and Occupation Tax. Once you secure your business license, you will automatically receive quarterly tax forms for City B & O tax. Taxes are calculated on gross receipts for all business activity in Issaquah. The rates are: .0006 for builders; .001 for veterinarians, veterinarian hospitals and real estate agents; and .008 for everyone else. There is a quarterly minimum of $10.00.
    • Local Sales and Use Taxes. These taxes are reported and paid on the State's Combined Excise return. The form for reporting these taxes should be automatically sent to you once you register with the State for your Master Business License. Contact the State Department of Revenue at 800-647-7706. See State section of this Checklist following.
    • Solicitor's Business License. Each solicitor operating with the City limits must obtain a license. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 425-837-3000. The fee is $30 for the first license and $20 per year thereafter. Solicitor's are not subject to Issaquah Business and Occupation Taxes. Those under 18 years of age pay $5 per year. No soliciting is allowed in Issaquah between the hours of 5:00 PM and 9:00 AM.
    • Tax Exempt Businesses. Farmers selling home-grown products (not including firewood) and those selling newspaper subscriptions are exempt from license requirements.
    • Temporary Business License. This is required for all businesses that plan to operate for 30 days or less. The fee is $10. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 425-837-3000.
    • Courtesy Business License. Non profit organizations and businesses with income of less than $2,000 per year may obtain a Business License at no cost and not subject to Business and Occupation taxes. Contact City Clerk's Office at 425-837-3000.
    • Special Event Permit. This Permit is required for special events or for activities that take place on public property. This includes activities such as a large sale in your parking lot complete with entertainment or the use of a spotlight for a Grand Opening event. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 425-837-3000.
    • Permit Center. City Hall NW, 1775 12th Ave. NW 425-837-3100. The Permit Center is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Department provides services that include permit intake and issuance. Some of the permits the Department handles are: new single family residences; tenant improvements; signs; new commercial/retail/multi-family projects; and plumbing and mechanical. Electrical permits are handled through the State Labor and Industries at 425-990-1400.
    • Zoning. The property must be zoned appropriately for business or residential use. The Planning Department at 425-837-3080 can tell you if your location is properly zoned, or you can visit the Permit Center where Planning Department staff can answer your zoning question.
    • Building Permit. A Building Permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, converting or demolishing a structure unless expressly exempt. To determine what is exempt, contact the Building Department at 425-837-3100 or visit the Permit Center. A Building Permit is required before beginning work. A permit is usually issued within six weeks.
    • Design Review. Commercial projects requiring a Level 3 Review or higher are reviewed and approved by the Development Commission. The Development Commission is a panel of citizens appointed by the Mayor and supported by Planning Department staff. For questions regarding levels or review and the Development Commission, contact the Planning Department at 425-837-3080.
    • Downtown Design Guidelines. Downtown Issaquah is a historic center and the City has crafted specific guidelines for development within the Downtown. The guidelines include: height of buildings; materials; colors; and other design details. Copies of the guidelines are available at the Permit Center or by calling the Planning Department at 425-837-3080.
    • Site Development Permit. This is required for most new construction in Issaquah. Administrative Site Development Permits are required for minor alterations and additions. The Planning Department provides a packet of information available at the Permit Center or by calling 425-837-3080.
    • Special Permits. The Planning Department can assist you regarding other permits and issues including: shoreline development; flood plains; SEPA; and environmentally sensitive areas. Contact them at 425-837-3080.

    STATE

    • Incorporation. Submitting a Master Application does not authorize you to legally operate as a corporation. You must file your incorporation papers with the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State at 360 753-7115.
    • Trade Names Registration. If your business is not a corporation and your full name is not within the name of the business, you will have to register your trade name. You can do this on the Master Application or by calling the Department of Licensing at 900 463-6000.
    • Retail Sales & Use Tax. Largest tax source for the State. It is paid on all goods purchased by consumers for personal use as well as some services. Reported on the State's Combined Excise Tax return which should be automatically be sent to you. Contact the Department of Revenue at 800 647-7706.
    • Business and Occupation Tax (B&O). Second largest tax source for the State. Based on gross receipts before business expenses. Reported on the State's Combined Excise Tax return. Businesses grossing less than $12,000 annually, $3,000 quarterly or $1,000 monthly do not need to file returns. Contact the Department of Revenue at 800 647-7706
    • Employer's Tax Report. As an employer you must provide unemployment coverage for most of your employees. It is paid by experience rating on a per dollar basis and is reported quarterly to the Employment Security Department on the Employer's Quarterly Report of Employees Wages. Employment Security Department number is 425 739-1765.
    • Tax Express. The State provides a Tax Express line for recorded tax information. It is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-334-8969.

    FEDERAL

    • Federal Taxes. There are a variety of federal taxes you might need to pay, covering everything from earnings to employment. Tax information can be obtained by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. You can request their "Going into Business Tax Kit".
    • Tele-Tax. The IRS has a tax information line on a wide variety of tax related topics. Call their Tele-Tax line at 1-800-829-4477.

RESOURCES

  • Main Streetª Issaquah. 425 391-1112. We assist businesses in Downtown site selection, permitting, renovations, business financing and general advocacy. We provide the following materials for your use:
    • Demographic and survey data
    • Business loan information
    • Improvements Grant Program
    • Copies of City ordinances and Downtown Design Guidelines
  • Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. 425 392- 7024 The Chamber can provide valuable information about area schools, businesses, housing and recreation. They also have area maps and demographic information.
  • Puget Sound Regional Council. 206 464-7090 They provide demographic, economic, transportation and other planning data for the Puget Sound Region. Reports are also available at http://www.psrc.org.
  • Dept. of Community Trade & Economic Development Business Assistance Center. 360 664-9501.
  • Local Business and Civic Organizations.
    • Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce 425-392-7024
    • Kiwanis Club of Issaquah 425-392-3937
    • Rotary 425-391-8018

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