What permits do you need to open a retail store in Snohomish County?

Animal Business License — Pet Shop, Grooming Parlor, Kennel, Boarding Facility

Snohomish County Animal Services 'licenses and inspects animal shelters, commercial kennels, boarding facilities, grooming parlors, pet shops, and any combination of these types of businesses,' according to its Kennel and Animal Business License Fees page, and those licenses 'must be renewed annually.' A pet shop pays $200 a year. A grooming parlor pays $200 as a single business type, or $50 when it is part of a combination license. A commercial boarding kennel is priced by number of runs ($200 for 1 to 15, $250 for 16 to 20, $300 for 21 or more), a commercial non-boarding kennel by number of dogs on the same tiers, and an animal shelter pays $300. These are the amounts printed on the county's fee page. The page also lists a combination license for a business that runs more than one of these types. The fee page does not say which parts of the county the license covers; a business inside a city should ask Snohomish County Animal Services whether its location falls under the county license or a city programme before applying.

State Liquor License — County Notice and Objection Outside Cities and Towns

RCW 66.24.010(8) sets no fee for the county's role. Liquor licenses in Washington are issued by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, and the license fees are State fees set by statute, with no county portion. Under RCW 66.24.010(8)(a), before the Board issues a new or renewal license for premises outside the boundaries of incorporated cities and towns, it must give notice to the county legislative authority; under (8)(c) the county has the right to file written objections within twenty days after the notice is transmitted for a new application, or at least thirty days before expiry for a renewal, and under (8)(e) the Board notifies the county when it grants such a license. Inside Everett or another city, the notice goes to that city instead. Examples of the State-set annual fees: a beer and/or wine restaurant license is $300 for beer, $300 for wine or $600 for both (RCW 66.24.320); a spirits, beer and wine restaurant license is $2,700 with less than 50% dedicated dining area, $2,200 with 50% or more, or $1,400 for service bar only, prorated by calendar quarter outside incorporated cities and towns (RCW 66.24.420); a snack bar license is $187.50 (RCW 66.24.350); and a grocery store license is $550 per store, with a $249 wine retailer reseller endorsement (RCW 66.24.360).

Secondhand Dealer Business and Employee License (unincorporated Snohomish County)

A secondhand dealer operating in unincorporated Snohomish County needs a county business license at $250 a year, and every employee needs a county employee license at $100 a year, as published on the county's Business Types, Requirements, and License Fees page. That page defines the scope: the license 'Includes dealers of used furniture, jewelry, firearms, and sports equipment' and 'Does not include used book stores, antique dealers, or consignment shops.' A shop selling only other kinds of used goods is outside this listed scope. A secondhand shop inside Everett or any other city goes to its city hall instead, as the county's Business Licensing page states. To apply, contact Snohomish County Licensing at (425) 388-3371 or licensing@snoco.gov; the Business Licensing page lists the application, four passport photos, government ID and proof of liability insurance (SCC 6.01.190), and sends applicants to the Sheriff's Office for fingerprinting, which is paid separately (the Sheriff's Office gives current fingerprinting fees at 425-388-3393). Licensing forwards applications to the Sheriff's Office, Planning and Development Services, the Fire Marshal and Risk Management for approval, and mails renewal applications every year.

Shared with other businesses in Snohomish County

• On-Site Sewage (Septic) System Permit — Snohomish County Health Department (formerly the Snohomish Health District), Food Safety and Environmental Health, Set in SCBHC 1.40.090-1.40.092 by permit type: new permit (all types except community systems), redesign, renewal within 30 days, alteration of the absorption or reserve area, tank only, repair, and community system application review plus a per-connection charge. Ord. BOH26-03 sets new amounts for these sections from November 1, 2026; contact the Snohomish County Health Department for the amount in effect., per permit; SCBHC 1.40.090 lists a separate fee for renewal within 30 days. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops and fitness studios; what it involves is set out on the fitness studios page.