Lakewood compliance requirements
Every filing obligation for small businesses operating in Lakewood, Washington — federal, state, county, and city-specific.
Breakdown: 106 federal requirements, 435 Washington state filings, 55 Pierce County requirements, and 14 Lakewood-specific requirements. Each obligation links to an authoritative source — the official government page where available, or the authorized filing portal or publisher otherwise.
Federal Obligations(106)
1099-NEC Filing — Nonemployee Compensation
ANNUALTAX FILINGBusinesses 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...
ADA Title III — Accessibility Compliance for Public Accommodations
AS NEEDEDREGISTRATIONTitle 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,...
ATF Federal Explosives License/Permit
ONE TIMEINDUSTRY LICENSEBusinesses 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...
ATF Form 4473 Firearms Transaction Recordkeeping
AS NEEDEDINDUSTRY LICENSEAll 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...
BIS Export Controls — Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
AS NEEDEDPERMITBusinesses 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...
BOI Report — Beneficial Ownership Information
ONE TIMEREGISTRATIONThe 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...
BOI Report — Updated Report (Ownership Changes)
AS NEEDEDREGISTRATIONUnder 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...
CAN-SPAM Act Compliance
AS NEEDEDREGISTRATIONThe 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...
CBP Import Entry — Customs Declaration for Imported Goods
AS NEEDEDTAX FILINGBusinesses 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...
COBRA Notice Requirements — Continuation of Health Coverage
AS NEEDEDEMPLOYMENTThe 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 ...
Washington State Obligations(435)
5-Year Business Record Retention (WAC 458-20-254)
AS NEEDEDTAX FILINGAll 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. ...
Acupuncture & East Asian Medicine Practitioner License
ANNUALINDUSTRY LICENSEDOH license for acupuncture and East Asian medicine practitioners in Washington. Renewed annually on the licensee's birthday. RCW 18.06.
Agriculture-Specific Safety Program (WAC 296-307)
ANNUALEMPLOYMENTAgricultural 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...
Air Quality Notice of Construction Permit
ONE TIMEPERMITWashington 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...
Air Quality Registration (Sub-Title V)
ANNUALPERMITWashington 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...
Ambulance / EMS Service License
ANNUALINDUSTRY LICENSEBusinesses 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...
Ambulance Service License
EVERY 2 YEARSINDUSTRY LICENSEDOH license for ambulance services in Washington. Renewed every two years. Fees set by DOH. RCW 18.73.
Ambulatory Surgical Facility License
EVERY 3 YEARSINDUSTRY LICENSEDOH 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.
Animal Massage Practitioner Certification
ANNUALINDUSTRY LICENSEIndividuals providing animal massage services in Washington must obtain certification from the Department of Health. Certification requires passing an approved examination and meeting education requir...
Annual Report
ANNUALREGISTRATIONAll LLCs and corporations registered in Washington must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year to remain in good standing.
Pierce County Obligations(55)
Air Pollution Source Registration (Pierce County)
ANNUALREGISTRATIONThe Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) requires annual registration of air pollution sources in Pierce County that emit regulated pollutants above certain thresholds. Under PSCAA Regulation I, Secti...
Alarm System Registration (Pierce County)
ANNUALREGISTRATIONPierce County requires all businesses and residences with security alarm systems in unincorporated areas to register their alarm with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department under Pierce County Code Ch...
Animal Business License (Pierce County)
ANNUALINDUSTRY LICENSEPierce County requires an annual license for any person operating a commercial kennel, cattery, boarding kennel, hobby kennel, grooming parlor, pet shop, or short-term boarding facility in unincorpora...
Asbestos Demolition/Renovation Notification (Pierce County)
AS NEEDEDTAX FILINGThe Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) requires advance notification before any demolition or renovation project that may disturb asbestos-containing materials in Pierce County. Asbestos is classifi...
Boundary Line Adjustment (Pierce County)
ONE TIMEPERMITPierce County requires a boundary line adjustment (BLA) application to alter the boundary between two or more adjacent parcels without creating additional lots, under Pierce County Code Chapter 18F.70...
Business Personal Property Tax Return (Pierce County)
ANNUALTAX FILINGWashington law (RCW 84.40.020) requires all businesses in Pierce County to file an annual Personal Property Listing with the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer reporting all tangible business assets in ...
Commercial Building Permit (Pierce County)
ONE TIMEPERMITPierce County Planning and Public Works requires a building permit for any new commercial construction, additions, alterations, or tenant improvements in unincorporated Pierce County. Permits are requ...
Commercial Fire Inspection Program (CIP) (Pierce County)
ANNUALPERMITPierce County Fire Prevention Bureau conducts mandatory periodic fire and life safety inspections of all commercial occupancies in unincorporated Pierce County under Pierce County Code 17C.60.090 and ...
Conditional Use Permit (Pierce County)
ONE TIMEPERMITPierce County requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for land uses that are permitted in a zoning district only under specific conditions, per Pierce County Code Title 18E.120. Conditional uses inclu...
Construction Stormwater General Permit (Pierce County)
ANNUALPERMITThe Washington Department of Ecology requires a Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSWGP) for construction sites in Pierce County that disturb one acre or more of land and discharge stormwater to...
City Obligations(14)
Admissions Tax (Lakewood)
MONTHLYTAX FILINGBusinesses charging admission to entertainment events, amusement places, athletic events, or recreational facilities in Lakewood must collect and remit a 5% admissions tax (one cent per twenty cents o...
Certificate of Occupancy (Lakewood)
ONE TIMEPERMITAll businesses with a physical commercial location in Lakewood must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (C/O) per LMC 18A.20.110 before a business license can be issued. A C/O is required for each physi...
Commercial Building Permit (Lakewood)
ONE TIMEPERMITA building permit is required for new commercial construction, tenant improvements, remodels, and structural modifications within Lakewood per LMC Chapter 15.05. The City adopts the International Buil...
Conditional Use Permit (Lakewood)
ONE TIMEPERMITCertain business activities in Lakewood require a conditional use permit (CUP) under LMC Chapter 18A.30 Article II before they may operate in specific zoning districts. A CUP is required when the land...
Fire Code Operational Permit (Lakewood)
ANNUALPERMITBusinesses in Lakewood conducting certain operations or storing hazardous materials must obtain a fire code operational permit from West Pierce Fire & Rescue (WPFR), which provides fire services to La...
Home Occupation Permit (Lakewood)
ONE TIMEPERMITBusinesses operating from a residential address within Lakewood must obtain a Lakewood Home Occupation Business License and comply with home occupation zoning requirements under LMC 18A.40.110(B)(7). ...
Lakewood Business License
ANNUALREGISTRATIONAll businesses operating within or doing business in Lakewood must add a Lakewood city endorsement to their Washington State Business License. Lakewood does not impose a B&O tax. A Certificate of Occu...
Lakewood Gambling Tax
QUARTERLYTAX FILINGBusinesses conducting gambling activities in Lakewood must pay a gambling tax. Rates: 5% pull tabs, 3% punch boards, 5% bingo/raffles, 2% amusement games, 11% social card games. Per LMC 3.34.
Lakewood Lodging Tax
QUARTERLYTAX FILINGHotels, motels, and short-term rental operators in Lakewood must collect and remit a 7% city excise lodging tax on stays under 30 days. In addition, Lakewood levies a flat 5% special hotel/motel tax o...
Lakewood Utility Tax
QUARTERLYTAX FILINGUtility providers in Lakewood must pay a utility tax. Rates: 6% on cable, cellular, telephone, solid waste, stormwater; 5% on electric and natural gas. Per Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 3.52.
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