Business License

New System Makes it Easier to Apply for and Renew Business Licenses

To streamline the licensing process and make it easier for businesses to apply for or renew business licenses, the City of Bremerton has partnered with the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service (BLS). Starting July 15, 2021, BLS will begin to process the City of Bremerton’s business licenses and renewals.

FileLocal will no longer be processing Bremerton license applications after June 30, 2021. Please contact the City of Bremerton Tax & License division directly at 360-473-5311 or taxinfo@ci.bremerton.wa.us to discuss how to apply for or renew a business license between July 1, 2021 – July 14, 2021.

A new business licensing system will make it easier to apply for or renew your business license by providing a one-stop shop for both Bremerton and state business licenses. The new system will allow you to apply or renew online, saving you time bookkeeping costs.

You can file your Bremerton city taxes online here.

  1. Starting a Business
  2. New Business License
  3. Business License Renewal
  4. Regulatory Licenses

Registering a Business in Washington

Are you thinking of starting a business in Bremerton?

Apply for your State and City license here. Be sure to add Bremerton as an endorsement to your State license if you are located in the City or are working here.

Who Needs a City Business License?

Most businesses operating in Bremerton are required to have a Bremerton business license in addition to their State license. Complete the License Check Sheet (PDF) to learn more. Business licenses are needed for:

  • Retail sales and service
  • Wholesale
  • Providing professional or personal services
  • Manufacturing 

Effective 2019: Any person or business whose annual value of products, gross proceeds of sales or gross income of the business in the city is equal to or less than $2,000 AND does not maintain a place of business within the city shall be exempt from the general business license requirement. The exemption does not apply to regulatory license requirements that require a specialized permit.

Regulatory Endorsements


The City of Bremerton regulates taxis, adult entertainment, street vendors, mobile vendors, peddlers and some other business types. These businesses require both a standard business license and a regulatory license. For more information, please visit the Regulatory Licenses tab above.

Licensing Information for Specific Business Types

  • Businesses based outside Bremerton – If your business is based outside Bremerton and you do business within the city, then you must have a Bremerton business license. In other words, you need a license for where you conduct business; not just for where you're located.
  • Subcontractors – Subcontractors need a Bremerton business license even if the contractor they are working with already has one. The license is valid only for the legal owner listed on it.
  • Non-profits – If you raise funds in Bremerton, whether as a for-profit or nonprofit organization, you must have a Bremerton business license.
  • Online-only business – Contact us if you have questions about licensing for online-only businesses. You may need a Bremerton business license if your business originates from Bremerton or has servers within city limits.
  • Home-based business – Businesses based in a Bremerton home usually need a Bremerton business license and land use permit ($73.00 permit fee). Contact us if you have questions about licensing for home-based businesses. Please read these regulations if you are applying for a home occupation business.