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Before you open your business, determine which of the numerous local, state and federal regulations apply to you. Avoid the temptation to ignore regulatory details. Doing so may save time in the short term, but could become an obstacle as your business grows.
Starting your new Washington business
Below is a list of the most common requirements that affect small / new businesses. The list is by no means exhaustive, as regulations vary by industry. Consult the list below for a solid start to meeting your regulatory requirements, and then carefully investigate the additional regulations that affect your industry.
Business Licenses There are many types of licenses, and you will need one to operate legally. If your business is located within the city limits, you must obtain a license from the city. If you are outside the city limits, you must obtain a license from the county. Investigate whether you need a business license through your state government web site.
Washington Business Name Businesses that use a name other than the owner's must register the fictitious name with the county as required by the Trade Name Registration Act. Check for the appropriate name of the Trade Name Registration Act in your area. This does not apply to corporations doing business under their corporate name or to those practicing any profession under a partnership name.
State Registration of a Trademark Trademarks and service marks may be registered in a state for a term of ten years. For more information about Applications for Registration of Trademark or Service Mark in your state, contact your state government.
Starting a business in Washington
In 1853, the Washington Territory was formed from part of the Oregon Territory. Named in honor of George Washington, Washington was the 42nd state to join the Union, in 1889. Its coastal location and Puget Sound harbors give it a leading role in trade with Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Rim. The state has two major mountain ranges--the 7,000-foot Olympic Mountains surrounded by temperate rain forest on the peninsula west of Puget Sound, and the more majestic Cascade Range, which boasts the 14,410-foot Mount Rainier and the volcanic Mount St. Helens, which erupted twice in the 1980s. Although the capital is Olympia, most people live in the metropolitan areas of Seattle-Everett and Tacoma. The state tree of the "Evergreen State" is the western hemlock, and the flower is the western rhododendron.
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