Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a cleaning service in Seattle, King County, Washington.

Updated 2026-03-13 5 stops $200–$500 est. 1–3 weeks to register and obtain all licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Washington

3 stops

  1. Washington State Business License

    Required for all businesses operating in Washington. Issued by the Department of Revenue via the Business Licensing Service. Registers your business for the state B&O tax, which applies to gross receipts from cleaning services.

    Official government source

    $19/year (master license fee)1–2 weeks

  2. Washington State B&O Tax Registration

    Cleaning services are subject to Washington's Business & Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts, filed under the 'Service and Other Activities' classification. Registered automatically when you obtain your WA Business License.

    Official government source

    No separate fee (included with WA Business License)Included with business license application

  3. General Liability Insurance

    While not legally required, Washington state strongly recommends general liability insurance for cleaning businesses. Many commercial clients require proof of insurance ($1M–$2M coverage) before signing contracts.

    Official government source

    $500–$1,500/year depending on coverage1–3 days to obtain

City of Seattle / King County

1 stop

  1. Seattle Business License Tax Certificate

    Required for all businesses with a physical presence or more than $12,000 in annual Seattle gross revenue. Issued by City of Seattle Finance and Administrative Services. Covers the city's B&O tax on gross receipts.

    Official government source

    $110/year1–2 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $200–$500 · 1–3 weeks to register and obtain all licenses

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Official Sources

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