Rental Business
The activity of renting or leasing real property (residential dwellings, land or commercial buildings) requires a business license. One business license will cover all properties owned by the same legal entity. Property owners are required to register every rental property located in Tacoma when licensing and certify that each property meets the requirements of RCW 59.18.060.
It has been statistically demonstrated that some rental properties are responsible for a disproportionate share of police and emergency medical calls for service and blighted property conditions. The license fee provides revenues to the City’s general fund to help support crime prevention training, education, inspection and code enforcement services related to rental properties.
Apply for New Business License
When applying for a business license for rental business activity, the application must be in the legal property owner's name or entity that is on record with Pierce County.
Online - the easiest way to apply; use FileLocal to register online. User fees apply. Allow three to five business days to process your application.
Mail – complete the application that matches your rental type from the options below. Allow up to fifteen business days from the date you mail the application to receive your license.
In Person – complete the application that matches your rental type from the options below. Allow up to one hour to process a new business license application. Applications received after 4 PM will be accepted, however, may not be processed the same day.
Applications
Single Unit Rental Property Application
Multi-Unit Rental Property Application
Commerical Rental Property Application
Supplemental Forms (to add or update properties)
Single Unit Rental Property Supplemental
Multi-Unit Rental Property Supplemental
The Tax & License office is located at 747 Market St., Room 212, Tacoma, WA 98402. Payment is due at time of application; cash, check, or credit cards are accepted.
Parking is metered.