Business Licenses

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Every person doing business in Kent is required to obtain a City Business License unless otherwise exempt per KCC 5.01.045. City of Kent business license applications may be completed online through FileLocal or paper applications are available below. Businesses in Kent may also be subject to City taxes

 

 

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BUSINESS LICENSE RENEWALS

The 2026 Relicensing Period will open on December 1, 2025.  Renewal reminder notices will be emailed out the first week of December 2025.

Online via FileLocal 

If you wish to renew your business license online, please visit www.FileLocal-WA.gov.

FileLocal Users

  1. Log into your account at www.FileLocal-WA.gov and select ‘Renew a License’. A pop-up box will display when you log into your account. Please click the ‘Renew a License’ option. 

  2. Select ‘Continue’ for your 2026 license application. Please answer questions, if any, then click ‘Next’, then scroll to select ‘Ready to Pay’.  Payment can be made by credit card or by eCheck. 

If You're New FileLocal 

  1. Creating your account: Go to www.FileLocal-WA.gov and select “Create Business Account”. Follow the prompts to create a username and password.

  2. Linking your account to your Kent business license:

    • Log into your FileLocal account. Select the 'Link my Existing Licenses' option when the pop-up box appears.
    • Select your Kent location from the dropdown menu, click 'Kent', and then select 'Next'. Enter your Kent business license number then select 'Link'. Click 'Finish'. Please allow up to 10 minutes for the license to link.  Refresh the page after 10 minutes or log out and log back in to view your renewal.
    • Contact the City by email (BusinessLicense@KentWA.gov) if you encounter any issues. In your email, please include the business name, address, Kent business license number, and a screenshot of the error message.

  3. Renewing your business license. Follow steps outlined in Existing FileLocal User section above.

Paper Applications 

If you wish to submit a paper renewal application for your business, please select the License Type indicated in your renewal notice below. If you did not receive a renewal notice, please contact us at 253-856-6266 or send an email to BusinessLicense@KentWA.gov

Payment 

Mail completed application along with a check or money order payable to the City of Kent to: 

City of Kent Finance Department
220 4th Ave South
Kent, WA 98032 

Pay in person with cash, check or money order at our Customer Service counter Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, 400 W Gowe St Kent, WA 98032. 

Other important information about your business: 

  • If you are a new owner of a current City of Kent business, licenses are neither transferable nor assignable. A new license is required upon change of ownership. 

  • If you have relocated your business to another location within City limits, a new application needs to be submitted with applicable fees.  An updated license will be issued for your new Kent location. 

  • If you are no longer doing business in the City of Kent, please send an email with your business license number to BusinessLicense@KentWA.gov to have your business license closed in our business licensing system.

If you used a paper application last year (2025) and wish to renew your license online for 2026, you can do so after December 1, 2025, using the steps in this FileLocal Renewal Walk-Through Guide.

For technical assistance with the FileLocal system, please call FileLocal directly at 225-215-0052 or 1-877-693-4435, or email FileLocal@avenuinsights.com

For general business licensing assistance or questions, please contact us directly at 253-856-6266 or e-mail BusinessLicense@KentWA.gov

 

NEW LICENSE APPLICATIONS

Online Applications

To apply for a new Kent business license online, please visit www.FileLocal-WA.gov.  For businesses applying for a new Kent business license, please follow this FileLocal Walk-Through which provides a quick step-by-step guide to the application process.

Paper Applications

If you wish to submit a paper application for a new Kent business license, please select one of the following:

Applications with check or money order payment can be mailed to Customer Service at 400 West Gowe Street, Kent, WA 98032. Checks received which solely reference a business license number without an application will not be approved until the completed application is received.

In person applications can be accepted with cash, check, or money order at our Customer Service counter at 400 West Gowe Street, Kent, WA 98032. 

Business licensing payments made by credit card can only be accepted through FileLocal and not through the City of Kent's Finance Department. 

Business License Information

For general information regarding City of Kent business licenses, please refer to the following:

For more information about licensing your business with the State of Washington, contact the State of Washington Department of Revenue

City Taxes 

Persons doing business in Kent may also be subject to city taxes. When you apply for a business license in Kent for the first time, you will receive a letter with information about how to file your City business and occupation (B&O) tax returns online. Visit the City Taxes page for more information.