Tacoma 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.

The 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...

Pierce 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...

Pierce 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...

The 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...

Pierce 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...

Washington 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 ...

Pierce 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...

Pierce 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 ...

Pierce 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...

The 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...

Businesses that charge for admission to entertainment events, amusement places, or recreational facilities in Tacoma must collect and remit a 5% admissions tax.

Businesses operating adult entertainment establishments in Tacoma must obtain a regulatory Adult Entertainment License from the Tax & License Division. The initial license fee is $2,400 with annual re...

Businesses with burglar or robbery alarm systems connected to a monitoring service in Tacoma must register for an Alarm System License through the Tax & License Division. False alarm fees are assessed...

Businesses with taxable gross receipts in Tacoma above $250,000 annually must file and pay the Tacoma Business & Occupation (B&O) tax. Filed through the FileLocal portal.

All businesses operating within Tacoma city limits must obtain and annually renew a Tacoma Business License. Tacoma is a FileLocal city — licenses are managed through the FileLocal portal, separate fr...

A commercial building permit is required for any new construction, alterations, additions, or tenant improvements to commercial buildings or residential buildings of 3 or more units within Tacoma. Per...

Certain land uses in Tacoma require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from Planning and Development Services before the use can commence. CUPs are required for uses that may be compatible with a zoning d...

A demolition permit is required to demolish any building within the City of Tacoma, except residential sheds of 200 square feet or less. The permit must be obtained before any demolition work begins. ...

Any person conducting door-to-door sales or solicitation within Tacoma city limits must obtain a Solicitor License from the Tax & License Division. The annual fee is $90. Solicitors must carry the lic...

Establishments offering live entertainment with liquor service and a capacity of 100 or more persons must obtain a Class A Entertainment with Liquor License from Tacoma's Tax & License Division. This ...