Business Licenses: Guide to the City's Business License Regulations

This page provides a basic description of Longview's business licensing requirements.  It also provides information on Certificate of Occupancy and Fire Safety Permit requirements for businesses located in Longview.  This material is intended for general informational purposes only.  It is current at the time of publication, but is subject to change as City Ordinances are enacted or repealed.

Additional information relating to your business license may be obtained by calling Longview City Hall, business license desk or by e-mail.

City Licensing Procedures:

Application Forms
An application form for a city business license may be obtained at Longview City Hall in the Finance Department, 1525 Broadway in Longview or by downloading the business license application in PDF format.  Please return the the completed application and applicable fees to the business license desk in the Finance Department or mail it to: City of Longview, Business License Desk, P.O. Box 128, Longview, WA 98632.

The business license fee is $20.00 per calendar year. The license fee is pro-rated to $10.00 for new applications only, after June 30th of each year.

Community Development Approval
After you have completed the application form, it must be approved by the City Community Development Department to ensure that your business location complies with zoning regulations. This approval process takes only a few minutes. Certain restrictions may apply to home occupations, day care facilities, and businesses requiring regulatory licensing.

Certificate of Occupancy
A Certificate of Occupancy is required for all businesses located within Longview city limits, excepting home occupations.  This is an annual permit to occupy a building or structure as classified for use by the Longview Community Development Department.  The Permit fee is $15.00 annually, payable in conjunction with your annual business license renewal.

To assist City Inspectors in determining that your building is being properly occupied, Certificate of Occupancy information is included on your business license, which should be posted in a public area of your business.  Questions about the Certificate of Occupancy should be directed to the City's Fire Marshal.

Fire & Life Safety Permit
Fire & Life Safety Permits are required for all businesses that maintain, store, use or handle hazardous materials, or that conduct  processes which produce conditions hazardous to life or property, or that install equipment used in connection with such activities, as defined by the Uniform Fire Code, Article I, Section 105.   To determine if your business will be required to obtain a Fire & Life Safety Permit, please contact the City's Fire Marshal. The permit fee is $53.00 and is payable annually in conjunction with your business license fee.

Fire & Life Safety Permit information is included with your business license, which should be posted in a public area of your business.  Questions about Fire & Life Safety Permits should be directed to the City's Fire Marshal.

Issuance of License  
Following approval by the City's Community Development and Fire Departments, your business license will be mailed to you.  Processing normally takes two to three weeks.

Renewing Your License
Each year you will receive pre-printed renewal applications.  These are mailed in early December and are due by January 25th.  Late penalties are assessed at $2.00 per month after January 31st.

Change of Address
You must notify the city business license desk at City Hall whenever you change your business location, mailing address, or telephone number, or if you close your business. Physical address changes must be approved by the City Community Development Department.  Prompt notification of business closures will prevent the accumulation of late penalties to your license account.

Change of Owner
You must notify the business license desk if you sell your business.  The new owner must apply for a business license in his or her name and pay the license fee.  If a Certificate of Occupancy and/or Fire & Life Safety fee has already been paid that year for the business, the new owner will not need to pay those fees again.  Changes of ownership require Community Development Department approval.

Home Occupations
If your business office is located in your home, and your home is situated within a residential district of the City of Longview, you will need to comply with the City's home occupation ordinance.  The ordinance's purpose is to maintain the residential nature of an area.  While mail order and delivery sales are allowed, the ordinance prohibits the use of your home as a retail outlet. Click here for more information on home occupation regulations.