BUSINESS LICENSES

If you are doing business within the City of Yelm, you must first pay an annual license fee to obtain a City Business License. The annual license fee is due on or before the first of February of each year, along with any tax due. The business licensing fee for any business or activity required to be licensed is $35.00 for the first year of operation. The business licensing renewal fee is $25.00 for each subsequent year or fraction thereof.

In addition, an occupation tax must be paid by all businesses not specifically exempt. The specific amount of calculation of that tax varies for different types of businesses. Exemptions include:

  • any person engaging in any business activity where the gross income of the business is less than $5,000 per recording period, does not owe tax, but must file a return listing the total receipts, declares no tax due and files a return with the City (YMC 5.04.040);
  • non-profit organization as recognized by the State of Washington and the federal government (i.e., Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3);
  • the sales of daily newspapers, whether subscriptions are taken or not, or to the dissemination of news and information;
  • the annual or pro-rated fee pursuant to YMC 5.02.060, for a for-hire or limousine business license, shall be waived upon showing that the applicant has procured a for-hire or limousine business license, for the time frame in question, with full fee paid, and background check made from any other city in Thurston County. (Ord 820 § 3. 2004).

    • See Yelm Municipal Code, Title 5 for full details.

    Business License applications must be submitted to Yelm City Hall for approval.