Thinking of starting a business in Bellingham? Here is some information to get you started off on the right track.
All individuals and firms doing business in Bellingham, whether located inside or outside the City limits, must be registered with the City's Finance Department and are subject to the business and occupations tax unless specifically exempted by Bellingham Municipal Code. Details and forms can be found by following the links below:
Prior to registering with the City, prospective business owners or operators should visit the State Department of Revenue website for information regarding state taxes and Master Business Licenses. You will be assigned a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number. The Department of Revenue also has information about licensing fees and any additional state licenses or registrations required. Other state and local agencies may need to be consulted depending upon the type of business you are considering.
The Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center website, funded in part by the City of Bellingham, is an excellent source of information to help new and existing business owners develop business plans, understand the necessary steps to launching and/or maintaining a successful business, and learn about other businesses in Bellingham. Other local business service providers supported by the City can be found here:
