Restaurant licenses
in Seattle, Washington
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is a restaurant located in Seattle, Washington, that prepares and serves food to customers. It operates from a physical commercial location, employs W-2 staff, and does not sell alcohol. Legal structure is not specified in this example; entity formation applies only if that structure is chosen.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal
- State
- Washington State
- County
- King County
- City
- Seattle
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the specific risk level classification for the food establishment permit?
- What are the exact annual fees for the King County food business permit based on the menu?
- Is the chosen location zoned for restaurant use?
- Will the restaurant require a Master Use Permit or certificate of occupancy?
- What specific SFD permit codes apply to the cooking equipment?
- What are the current outdoor dining fees if sidewalk seating is planned?
- Confirm the legal structure before using entity-formation instructions or including entity-specific fees in the startup budget.
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Federal employer obligations; New-hire reporting; Food-handler training rules; Food-manager certification and presence rules; Business personal-property filing or exemption. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 22- 01Permanent Food Business Permit (retail food establishment)Public Health – Seattle & King County · County
The restaurant prepares and serves food to customers at a fixed commercial location.
RequiredAnnual; renew through the Public Health Permit Center. - 02Washington State Food Worker Card (all staff)Washington State Department of Health · Washington
All employees of a food business must hold a valid Washington State Food Worker Card.
RequiredFirst card valid 2 years; renewal cards valid 3 years. - 03Washington State Business License (with Unified Business Identifier, UBI)Washington Department of Revenue · Washington
The restaurant sells taxable products and will hire employees within 90 days.
RequiredAnnual — renewal processing fee $5 - 04Seattle Business License Tax CertificateCity of Seattle · Seattle
Anyone doing business in Seattle must hold this certificate.
RequiredAnnual; all certificates expire December 31. - 05Initial Report (multiple entity types)Washington Secretary of State · Washington
Every new domestic LLC must record its principal office and governors within the first 120 days of formation.
RequiredOne-time (within first 120 days) - 06Annual Report (multiple entity types)Washington Secretary of State · Washington
The LLC must file yearly to keep its active status with the state.
RequiredAnnual — due by the last day of the month in the entity's anniversary month
This example includes 16 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a restaurant in Seattle check?
Our research identifies Seattle Business License Tax Certificate, issued by City of Seattle, as required. Anyone doing business in Seattle must hold this certificate. Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a restaurant in Seattle?
About $140 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Certificate of Formation — Domestic LLC (if applicable) (Washington Secretary of State), then Initial Report (multiple entity types) (Washington Secretary of State). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical restaurant. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.