Ferndale compliance requirements

Businesses that pay $600 or more to a non-employee (independent contractor, freelancer, etc.) during the year must file Form 1099-NEC with the IRS and provide a copy to the recipient by January 31. Th...

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses that are places of public accommodation (restaurants, retail stores, hotels, theaters, medical offices, professional offices,...

Businesses that manufacture, import, deal in, or use explosive materials must obtain a federal explosives license or permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Licenses...

All Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must complete and retain ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record) for every firearm transaction conducted through the licensee. Per the Bipartisan Safer Commun...

Businesses exporting goods, software, or technology from the United States must comply with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Expor...

The Corporate Transparency Act requires certain companies to report their beneficial ownership information (BOI) to FinCEN. As of March 2025, FinCEN issued a rule exempting all domestic companies from...

Under the Corporate Transparency Act, reporting companies must file an updated Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN within 30 calendar days of any change to previously reported in...

The CAN-SPAM Act (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act) applies to all businesses that send commercial email messages — any electronic mail message whose primary purp...

Businesses importing goods into the United States with a value exceeding $2,500 must file an entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Formal entries require a customs bond and use of a lic...

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires employers with 20 or more employees who sponsor group health plans to offer continuation coverage to employees and their dependents ...

All businesses registered with the Washington Department of Revenue must keep complete and adequate records for a minimum of 5 years from the date the tax return was due or filed, whichever is later. ...

DOH license for acupuncture and East Asian medicine practitioners in Washington. Renewed annually on the licensee's birthday. RCW 18.06.

Agricultural employers with one or more employees must maintain a written Accident Prevention Program (APP) tailored to agricultural operations per WAC 296-307. This includes compliance with the Worke...

Washington businesses that install new sources of air pollution or modify existing sources must obtain a Notice of Construction (NOC) permit from the Department of Ecology or their local clean air age...

Washington manufacturing facilities that emit air contaminants but do not require a Title V operating permit must register with the Department of Ecology or the local clean air agency under WAC 173-40...

Businesses operating ambulance or emergency medical services in Washington must obtain an EMS Service License from the Department of Health. Each ambulance vehicle also requires a separate vehicle lic...

DOH license for ambulance services in Washington. Renewed every two years. Fees set by DOH. RCW 18.73.

DOH license for ambulatory surgical facilities in Washington. Renewed every three years. Fees range from $12,900 to $27,200 based on procedure volume and accreditation status. RCW 70.230.

Individuals providing animal massage services in Washington must obtain certification from the Department of Health. Certification requires passing an approved examination and meeting education requir...

All LLCs and corporations registered in Washington must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year to remain in good standing.

Whatcom County Planning and Development Services requires an Administrative Use Permit (ADM) for uses that are not normally permitted in a zoning district but may be approved administratively without ...

Washington law (RCW 84.40.020) requires all businesses in Whatcom County to file an annual Personal Property Listing with the Whatcom County Assessor reporting all tangible business assets — including...

Whatcom County Health and Community Services requires camps operating in Whatcom County to obtain a camp permit. This applies to youth camps, organizational camps, recreational camps, and similar faci...

Whatcom County Planning and Development Services requires a commercial building permit for the construction, alteration, or tenant improvement of any commercial, industrial, or mixed-use structure in ...

Whatcom County Planning and Development Services requires a sign permit for the installation, alteration, or relocation of commercial signs in unincorporated Whatcom County. Sign regulations are gover...

Whatcom County requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for land uses that are not normally permitted in a particular zoning district but may be allowed subject to conditions set by the Hearing Examine...

Whatcom County requires critical areas review under WCC Chapter 16.16 for development proposals that may affect wetlands, geologically hazardous areas, frequently flooded areas, critical aquifer recha...

A demolition permit is required in unincorporated Whatcom County for the demolition or removal of buildings, structures, storage tanks, and utilities. The permit ensures proper handling of hazardous m...

Whatcom County administers the Designated Forest Land program under RCW 84.33, which allows qualifying timberland to be assessed at its value for growing and harvesting timber rather than highest and ...

The Whatcom County Fire Marshal's Office requires a Fire System Construction Permit for the installation, modification, or repair of fire protection systems in unincorporated Whatcom County. This cove...

Commercial properties and businesses conducting operations enumerated in the International Fire Code must undergo annual fire inspections at the property owner's expense per FMC 15.16.010. The city ad...

Any business constructing, altering, or remodeling a commercial structure within Ferndale must obtain a building permit from the Community Development Department per FMC 15.04, which adopts the 2021 I...

Any business installing, erecting, or modifying a freestanding, projecting, awning, wall, or marquee sign within Ferndale city limits must obtain a sign permit from the Community Development Departmen...

Businesses proposing a use that is listed as a conditional use in their zoning district must obtain a conditional use permit from the Ferndale Hearings Examiner per FMC 18.12. The application is submi...

General business license required to operate a business within the city of Ferndale, Washington. This city participates in the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service (city e...

Businesses operating a food establishment (restaurant, grocery, deli, bakery, food truck, catering kitchen, or any retail food service) within Ferndale must obtain an annual food establishment permit ...

Businesses and organizations conducting gambling activities within Ferndale must file a sworn declaration of intent with the City Treasurer at least 15 days before commencing operations and remit quar...

All businesses located within or conducting business within Ferndale city limits must obtain a Ferndale General Business License per FMC 5.04. Ferndale participates in the Washington State Business Li...

Residents operating a business from their home in Ferndale must comply with the home occupation regulations under FMC 18.14. There are two types: Type I occupations exhibit no external evidence of a b...

Businesses furnishing lodging in Ferndale (hotels, motels, rooming houses, tourist courts, trailer camps) must collect and remit a 4% special excise tax on the sale of or charge made for furnishing lo...