Licenses

Dog Licensing

Effective May 7, 2023 per Ordinance No. 2023-013, the City of Yakima Code Administration handles all dog license applications and renewals.

All new dog license applications and renewals are handled through our Online Portal – www.buildingyakima.com.

View instructions on how to apply or renew your dog license here.

Business Licensing – New or Renewal

PLEASE NOTE: Due to staffing shortages, processing times may be delayed. You can help by ensuring that your submittal/application is accurate, detailed, complete and submitted ahead of schedule. 

The City of Yakima requires a license for all businesses, including home-based businesses, located within city limits, or conducting business within city limits. If you are not sure if you will do business within the city limits, contact our office directly before you apply.

Apply for License

Create an account and apply for a new business license by clicking the link “Get or renew a license” at: dor.wa.gov.
If you are new to this process, consider using the Business License Wizard. After answering a few questions, customers will receive custom licensing information and save time with step-by-step assistance to streamline the application process.

How to add a city endorsement to your existing State license

After you apply for a new business license through the Department of Revenue or add the City of Yakima as an endorsement to your existing State license, your license application will be processed and reviewed by the City of Yakima Planning Division and Code Administration Division. An important piece of the business license review process is verifying that the proposed business use is allowed in the zoning district of the business location.  If you have questions about whether your proposed business is compatible with the current zoning of the property, please visit the City of Yakima’s Planning Division or call (509) 575-6183.

Fees

Business License Fees

In addition to the standard business license fees linked above, there may be other recurring fees associated with operating your business such as fire inspection fees, DYBID fees, and PBIA fees.

  • Downtown Yakima Business Improvement District (DYBID) (Ordinance No. 2012-044):
    • A $100 annual fee shall be assessed upon the city-issued business license for businesses within the DYBID boundary. This fee helps with maintaining the aesthetics and cleanliness of the downtown area.
    • Property owners within the DYBID shall also be assessed a fee based on the property assessment of the parcel in accordance with the above ordinance.
  • North Front Street Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) (Ordinance No. 2011-057):
    • Special assessments shall be levied against all businesses within the PBIA in accordance with the ordinance linked above to provide the funds necessary for maintenance and security of the area, maintenance of parking facilities, decorations, promotion of public events, etc.
      • 1st floor businesses are charged an annual fee of $200
      • 2nd floor businesses are charged an annual fee of $135

Renewals

Current Business License holders: Prior to the expiration of your business license, the Business Licensing Service will email a license renewal reminder to the email address on the business license account with instruction son how to renew your City of Yakima business license. To avoid penalties, submit and pay fees by the expiration date. Once your renewal has been processed, DOR will make the license available to print from your account.

How to renew a business license.

My DOR Help – provides detailed information on how to manage your business through the Department of Revenue.

Conversion to Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service (2020)

FAQ’s for Drivers of Transportation Network Company (such as UBER and Lyft)

Regulatory Licenses

There are other license (Regulatory License) requirements within the City of Yakima for specific kinds of businesses (Secondhand Dealers, Pawn Brokers, Taxi Drivers, etc.) and uses (sidewalk cafe, liquor live entertainment, right-of-way uses, etc.). Applications for these specialty licenses can be found at the bottom of this page. Contact our office if you have questions regarding these applications.

Below are links to Regulatory License Application Packets specific for the listed business activity:

Amusement Devices, Jukeboxes, Pool Tables, or Billiard Tables – this license is required in order to install, maintain or operate in any business establishment or for the purposes of profit within the city of Yakima any amusement device, pool table or billiard table. “Amusement device” means a coin-operated machine, device or apparatus which is mechanically, electrically or hand operated and which is designed and used for the purpose of playing a game of skill or chance by one or more players solely for the purpose of amusement and/or entertainment of the player or players. The term also includes jukeboxes.

Liquor Live Entertainment – no premises holding a state license for the sale of beer, wine, whiskey, or other intoxicating liquor for consumption upon the premises shall provide or allow live music, dancing or entertainment to be conducted on such premises unless the owner or operator thereof has first secured a liquor live entertainment regulatory license from the City.

Mobile Vendor (goods, merchandise, or food) – “mobile vendor” means a vendor or seller of goods, merchandise, or food from a mobile food preparation vehicle or other motorized conveyance upon the public streets, alleys, public property of the city, or upon private property. Mobile vendors are regulated under YMC 5.57.030. If you are using a non-motorized cart or temporary structure, please fill out the Street Sales application instead.

  • Street Sales – “street vendor” means a vendor selling food or nonalcoholic beverages within a public or private parking lot, pedestrian plaza, sidewalk, or public property using a non-motorized cart or temporary structure. Street sales may also include sales of goods, wares, merchandise or services upon the streets, alleys, or public thoroughfares of the city of Yakima, but shall not include sales from lawfully placed vending machines.
  • ***For Mobile Vendor and Street Sales, approval from the Yakima Health District is required (if selling food or beverages) for the mobile food unit floor plan, commissary kitchen, menu, etc.

Pawnbroker – pursuant to regulations under YMC 5.54

Peddler/Solicitor – door to door sales pursuant to regulations under YMC 5.56

Right of Way Use Permit Application – for private use of the public right of way pursuant to Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 8.20, including but not limited to: long-term residential or business/commercial use of the right of way; sidewalk signs; community crosswalk painting/markings; signs projecting over the right of way; and short-term permits for temporary placement of dumpster(s), container-type storage units, materials for landscaping projects, temporary right of way closure for construction-related projects.

Secondhand Precious Metal Dealer – pursuant to regulations under YMC 5.70

Sidewalk Cafe Regulatory License Application – to operate a sidewalk cafe within the public right-of-way in any commercial or industrial zoning district in city limits of Yakima

Sign Company License – pursuant to regulations under YMC 11.08

Taxi Driver – pursuant to regulations under YMC 5.78

 

Online Regulatory License Portal