What permits do you need to open a fitness studio in King County?

Conditional Use Permit

A conditional use permit is required in unincorporated King County only where the zone's land-use table (KCC 21A.08) marks a use 'C'. The 2026 fee is $13,266 for a commercial use, $18,106 for an industrial, institutional or other use, and $6,487 for a residential or home industry use, plus environmental review if triggered. Special use permits are $18,106 and other temporary use permits $10,360. KCC 21A.08.030 marks 'Home Industry' as a conditional use in the A, RA, UR and R-1 zones: this is the route by which a use barred outright as a home occupation — for example auto repair or a veterinary clinic in a residential zone — can still be permitted, at $6,487, though wineries, breweries, distilleries and cannabis retail remain barred as home industries too. This is the 2026 fee schedule; King County Code sets lower fees ($11,610 / $15,846 / $5,677, and $15,846 for special use, $9,067 for other temporary use) effective January 1, 2027, unless the Council adopts a new fee ordinance first (one was due to the Council by October 1, 2026). Confirm the current fee with King County Permits, (206) 296-6600, after January 2027.

Water Recreation Facility (Pool / Spa) Annual Operating Permit

A gym or fitness studio with a swimming pool, spa or hot tub needs an annual water recreation facility permit from Public Health, county-wide: $693 per pool or spa in 2026, due June 1 and delinquent June 10 regardless of the dates the pool actually operates. A new pool's initial permit is half the annual fee if it is obtained after November 30 (BOH §2.20.020.B). New-construction plan review is $1,008 plus $252 an hour after four hours; renovation review is $504 plus $252 an hour after two. A temporary pool is $63 and a pool taken out of use is $189. A studio without a pool, spa or hot tub does not need a Public Health permit under this program. Separately, in unincorporated King County a sauna or hot-tub facility can also trigger the County's Title 6 public bathhouse license, listed separately.

Novelty Amusement Device / Pool Table / Public Amusement Licenses

In unincorporated King County a restaurant, tavern or venue that keeps coin-operated novelty amusement devices pays $100 per device a year under KCC §6.04.040 — except a shuffleboard, which KCC §6.04.180 prices separately at $50 per year, not $100 like other novelty devices. Pool or billiard tables cost $100 per table up to $500 per establishment and expire one year from the date of application; offering live entertainment, skating, bowling, arcades or pool halls to the public needs a $200-a-year public amusement license ($100 for six months, $50 for one night). Novelty devices may not operate within 500 feet of a school. Serving food and drink alone needs none of these licenses. This Title 6 fee is fixed in the code and is not affected by the Local Services fee schedule that expires January 1, 2027.

Shared with other businesses in King County

• Fire Code Operational Permit (annual, unincorporated King County) — King County Fire Marshal's Office (Permitting Division), with delegated fire districts for operational-permit inspection, $171 per code item, initial permit; renewal $114 per item; building occupancy inspection $419 per building per site visit (2026), annual. Also required for restaurants, retail stores, childcare centres, auto repair shops, veterinary clinics and salons and barbers; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Home Occupation — Allowed Under Zoning Standards (King County) — King County Department of Local Services, Permitting Division, No fee, not applicable. Also required for salons and barbers, retail stores, contractors and trades and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the contractors and trades page.
• Massage Business / Public Bathhouse License — King County Department of Local Services, Permitting Division, $150 a year per business or bathhouse; massage practitioner license $50 a year, annual — all licenses expire November 30. Also required for salons and barbers; what it involves is set out on the salons and barbers page.
• Zoning Variance — King County Department of Local Services, Permitting Division, $13,266 per variance review (2026); extension of approval $483, one-time. Also required for restaurants, retail stores, childcare centres, auto repair shops, veterinary clinics and salons and barbers; what it involves is set out on the auto repair shops page.