Port Angeles – Acquiring the licenses necessary to start a business in Port Angeles is about to get less complicated.
The City of Port Angeles has partnered with the Washington State Department of Revenue and their Business Licensing Service (BLS) to simplify the City business licensing process. Starting June 17, businesses in Port Angeles will be able to complete both city and state licensing requirements through a “one-stop shop,” easy-to-use web portal managed by the BLS.
This is happening as the City introduces a new policy that all businesses must be licensed to operate within city limits.
City officials are the first to admit that the new streamlined system is needed. Under the former program, the City maintained 15 different specialty licenses for a variety of businesses and organizations. Many of the specialty license requirements were outdated, and each included a unique set of forms and fees. Meanwhile, getting the state-required business license from the Department of Revenue was a completely separate procedure.
Starting June 17, businesses will be able to simultaneously apply for or renew their Washington State Business License and Port Angeles City Endorsement along with endorsements from hundreds of other participating cities from across the state, including Sequim and Port Townsend. Applicants will receive one Business License from BLS which will include the City Endorsements they choose.
New businesses can access the online portal and begin the licensing process by clicking here or got to cityofpa.us to see a list of frequently asked questions.