Port Townsend amends business licensing regulations

PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend City Council has amended current business licensing regulations to establish a threshold exemption for businesses located outside of the city limits.

The Port Townsend City Council voted 6-0 last Monday to amend the regulations. Council member Michelle Sandoval was absent from the meeting.

With the adoption of the new licensing regulation, Chapter 5.08 of the City’s Municipal Code was also amended.

The newly adopted ordinance takes effect on Jan. 1.

Finance Director Nora Mitchell said that the state has changed business license requirements for cities and the model language must be adopted no later than Oct 17 to be in compliance.

“There is an exemption for obtaining a general business license for businesses located outside of city limits,” she said.

“If they make less than $2,000 gross, they are not required to get a business license in the city of Port Townsend.”

Inside city limits

It requires, however, all businesses located in Port Townsend city limits to obtain a business license.

“What we are recommending is that we adopt the model language and that we continue to not necessarily license those businesses under the $2,000 threshold, but we register them,” Mitchell said.

“There would be no fee, but it allows us to know who those businesses are that are doing business in Port Townsend.”

A charity or nonprofit organization for which charitable contributions are deductible and are otherwise exempt from federal income taxes are exempt from the fee.

Organizations must provide a proof of tax exemption status and be required to register, providing all of the same information required of a business license applicant.

Any person or business whose annual value of products, gross proceeds of sales, or gross income of the business made within city limits that is equal to or less than $2,000 and does not maintain a physical place of business located within city limits shall submit a business registration to the city finance director for no fee.

The income threshold exemption does not apply to regulatory license requirements or activities that require a specialized permit.

Home occupations continue to be required to be permitted and operate under specific criteria.

For more information on city business licensing, call 360-385-2700.

________

Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Port Townsend to test sewer system with smoke, dye

The city of Port Townsend will test its sewer… Continue reading

JUMP! Playground to close for renovations

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation will close the JUMP! Playground… Continue reading

Barcy Fisher, left, and Patti Buckland have been selected as the 2024 Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year.
Fisher, Buckland honored as Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Barcy Fisher and Patty Buckland were named Marrowstone Island’s 2024… Continue reading

About 800 people from Jefferson and Clallam counties spill out from the steps of the Jefferson County Courthouse onto Jefferson Street in Port Townsend on Monday to take part in a National Day of Protest organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.” (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Hundreds protest actions of Trump administration

Activists cite USAID, worry about Treasury, impacts of immigration

Peninsula to welcome Canadian visitors

Celebration of Coho passengers planned

Fish barrier removal to impact highway traffic

Portions of roadway to have long-term closures

Cheryl Gertsch of Sequim, left, talks with Krista Meyers, project manager with Cascadia Solar of Port Townsend during the annual Home Building, Remodeling and Energy Expo on Saturday at Sequim Middle School. The event, hosted by the North Peninsula Building Association, featured a variety of booths, displays and presentations dedicated to home construction, repair and improvement. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Building expo

Cheryl Gertsch of Sequim, left, talks with Krista Meyers, project manager with… Continue reading

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass on display on the pier in Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
The golden hour

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass… Continue reading

The state is looking to turn Miller Peninsula, a 2,800-acre undeveloped park east of Sequim, into a destination state park with a visitors center, cabins, picnic areas and more. Some locals oppose the move. (Warren Wilson)
Opponents want park to stay day use

State updates plan for Miller Peninsula

Sequim staff plan to send a proposal to the state this month to potentially fund sewer and water lift stations on West Sequim Bay Road using new developments’ property taxes through a Tax Increment Area by Sequim Bay in a 363-acre area. It would require the city to prove that developments in the area wouldn’t happen without the stations. The city council also would have to approve it. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim exploring funding mechanism to incentivize development

City would create district, repurpose tax dollars for lift stations

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann O’Neill, an employee of Angel Crest Gardens of Port Angeles at a temporary stand at First and Race streets in Port Angeles on Valentine’s Day. Rix said he wanted roses for his wife, Wendy Rix, for their 55th wedding anniversary. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s roses

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann… Continue reading

Port Angeles-owned Lancashire Heeler “Ki” poses with handler and co-owner Chelsy Pendleton of Utah with their ribbon. Ki placed as Best of Opposite Sex at the 149th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
PA dog places at famous show

Lancashire Heeler wins ribbon at Westminster