Seattle 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.

Under Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.36.082, all commercial establishments (including those hauling their own waste) must separate paper, cardboard, glass and plastic bottles and jars, aluminum and...

A demolition permit is required from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections for demolition projects within the city. For landmarks, the permit cannot be issued until specific condition...

Design Review is required in Seattle for multifamily, commercial, Seattle Mixed, and Downtown zones when development is proposed that exceeds thresholds in Table A or Table B for Section 23.41.004. It...

The City of Seattle (through SDCI) issues electrical permits for electrical projects and installations. Permit fees are based on the total valuation of the electrical work, and phased permits may be i...

A fee imposed on alarm system monitoring companies whenever an alarm they send results in police dispatch and arrival at the alarm site with no evidence of a crime or other activity warranting police ...

A city-issued certification required for persons or businesses performing activities relating to portable fire extinguishers in Seattle, including installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, charg...

Applies to persons conducting fireworks displays (outdoor, before a proximate audience, or barge load/unload) in Seattle. A fireworks permit is required from the fire code official for any such displa...

A city-issued trade license required for any person performing the installation, alteration, extension, or repair of gas piping in Seattle. It is unlawful to engage in such work without first obtainin...

A tax levied by the City of Seattle upon the act or privilege of occupying or using publicly-owned real or personal property within the City of Seattle through a 'leasehold interest' as defined by RCW...

A master filming permit is required to accommodate filming motion pictures and videotaping productions in Seattle. Applications are made to the Director of the Office of Economic Development, who coor...