Chapter 7.02
BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
Sections:
7.02.010 Purpose.
7.02.020 Policy and scope.
7.02.030 Definitions.
7.02.040 Business license required.
7.02.050 Operating without a license.
7.02.060 No license required in certain circumstances.
7.02.070 Presumptions.
7.02.080 Finance and administration director as license officer.
7.02.090 Confidentiality.
7.02.100 Application for license.
7.02.110 Review of application.
7.02.120 Basic license fee.
7.02.130 Regulatory licenses.
7.02.140 Utilities.
7.02.150 Temporary business.
7.02.160 Revenue generating regulatory license fee (RGRL).
7.02.170 Determination of number of employees for RGRL.
7.02.175 Temporary employees.
7.02.180 License period, renewal and terms.
7.02.190 Penalties.
7.02.200 Debt owed to city.
7.02.210 Transfer or sale of business—New license required.
7.02.220 Notification of termination of business activities.
7.02.230 Notification of exemption.
7.02.240 Requests for director review.
7.02.250 Appeal.
7.02.260 Suspension or revocation of license—Criteria.
7.02.270 Procedures for revocation or suspension.
7.02.280 License fee additional to others imposed.
7.02.290 License not construed to permit prohibited uses or activities.
7.02.300 Short-term rentals—Special provisions.
7.02.310 Payment of lodging excise tax on short-term rentals.
7.02.010 Purpose.
The provisions of this chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the power of the city to license for regulation and for revenue. (Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.020 Policy and scope.
All persons engaging in a business or occupation within the limits of the city shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise indicated in this chapter. (Ord. 4658 § 1, 2018: Ord. 4161 § 1, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.030 Definitions.
Where used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the meanings as defined in this section, unless, from the context, a more limited or different meaning is clearly defined or apparent:
(a) “Business” includes all activities, occupations, pursuits, or professions located and/or engaged within the city, with the object of gain, benefit or advantage to the person engaging in the same, or to any other person or class, directly or indirectly, and includes nonprofit enterprises.
(b) “Business license” means that document issued by the city licensing the transaction of the indicated business by the person whose name appears thereon for the stated period. A city of Kirkland endorsement from the Washington State Department of Revenue is equivalent to a business license.
(c) “Business Licensing Service” or “BLS” means the program within the Washington State Department of Revenue providing business licensing services to the city.
(d) Engaging in Business.
(1) The term “engaging in business” means commencing, conducting, or continuing in any business within the city, whether or not an office or physical location for the business lies within the city, and also the exercise of corporate or franchise powers, as well as liquidating a business when the liquidators thereof hold themselves out to the public as conducting such business.
(2) This section sets forth examples of activities that constitute engaging in business in the city. The activities listed in this section are illustrative only and are not intended to narrow the definition of “engaging in business” in subsection (d)(1) of this section. If an activity is not listed, whether it constitutes engaging in business in the city shall be determined by the director considering all the facts and circumstances and applicable law.
(3) Without being all-inclusive, any one of the following activities conducted within the city by a person, or its employee, agent, representative, independent contractor, broker or another acting on its behalf, constitutes engaging in business and requires a person to register and obtain a business license:
(A) Owning, renting, leasing, maintaining, or having the right to use, or using, tangible personal property, intangible personal property, or real property permanently or temporarily located in the city including both short-term and long-term rentals.
(B) Owning, renting, leasing, using, or maintaining an office, place of business, or other establishment in the city.
(C) Soliciting sales.
(D) Making repairs or providing maintenance or service to real or tangible personal property, including warranty work and property maintenance.
(E) Providing technical assistance or service, including quality control, product inspections, warranty work, or similar services on or in connection with tangible personal property sold by the person or on its behalf.
(F) Installing, constructing, or supervising installation or construction of real or tangible personal property.
(G) Soliciting, negotiating, or approving franchise, license or other similar agreements.
(H) Collecting current or delinquent accounts.
(I) Picking up and transporting tangible personal property, solid waste, construction debris, or excavated materials.
(J) Providing disinfecting and pest control services, employment and labor pool services, home nursing care, janitorial services, appraising, landscape architectural services, security system services, surveying, and real estate services including the listing of homes and managing real property.
(K) Rendering professional services such as those provided by accountants, architects, attorneys, auctioneers, consultants, engineers, professional athletes, barbers, baseball clubs and other sports organizations, chemists, psychologists, court reporters, dentists, doctors, detectives, laboratory operators, teachers, veterinarians.
(L) Meeting with customers or potential customers, even when no sales or orders are solicited at the meetings.
(M) Training or recruiting agents, representatives, independent contractors, brokers or others, domiciled or operating on a job in the city, acting on its behalf, or for customers or potential customers.
(N) Investigating, resolving, or otherwise assisting in resolving customer complaints.
(O) In-store stocking or manipulating products or goods, sold to and owned by a customer, regardless of where sale and delivery of the goods took place.
(P) Delivering goods in vehicles owned, rented, leased, used, or maintained by the person or another acting on its behalf.
The city expressly intends that engaging in business include any activity sufficient to establish nexus for purposes of applying the license fee under the law and the constitutions of the United States and the state of Washington. Nexus is presumed to continue as long as the taxpayer benefits from the activity that constituted the original nexus generating contact or subsequent contacts.
(e) “Finance and administration director” or “director” means the city of Kirkland director of finance and administration or his/her designee.
(f) “Gross receipts” shall have its ordinary meaning and also means the value accruing from the business activity within the city or conducted from the city including compensation for the rendition of services (without any deduction for labor costs or the cost of materials used), sale of personal property (without any deduction for the cost of property sold), gains or dividends realized, rents, royalties, contributions, fees and commissions, all without any deduction for any expense, taxes, or losses.
(g) “Person” includes individual natural persons, any firm, corporation, association, sole proprietor, club, partnership, trust, receiver, administrator, executor, estate, company, independent contractor, society, any officer, agent, personal representative, any group of individuals acting as a unit, the United States or the state of Washington or any instrumentality thereof, and includes the singular and the plural.
(h) “City” means the city of Kirkland, Washington.
(i) “Year” means a calendar year, except where otherwise specified or when permission is obtained from the director to use a different fiscal year.
(j) “L&I” means the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
(k) “Place of business” or “office” includes, but is not limited to, the following: maintaining, occupying, or using a permanent building or facility, premises or other fixed location as an office or location for conducting business; residential units used for short-term or long-term rentals or leases, or a location where the regular business of the person is conducted and which is either owned by the person or over which the person exercises legal dominion and control; or a location which includes a business sign, mailing address, and permanent phone. A vehicle such as a pickup, van, truck, boat or other motor vehicle will not be considered a place of business for purposes of this chapter.
(l) “Casual or isolated sale” means a sale made by a person who is not engaged in the business of selling the type of property involved. Persons who hold themselves out to the public as making sales at retail or wholesale are deemed to be engaged in business, and sales made by them of the type of property which they hold themselves out as selling are not casual or isolated sales even though such sales are not made frequently.
(m) “Employee” means and includes each of the following persons who are not required by the city to have his/her/its own separate city of Kirkland business license:
(1) Any person who is on the business’s payroll, and includes all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees or workers; and
(2) Self-employed persons, sole proprietors, owners, managers, and partners; and
(3) Any other person who performs work, services or labor at the business, including an independent contractor who is not required to have a separate city of Kirkland business license.
(n) “Contractor” means any person who, in the capacity of an independent contractor, contracts with any business, property owner or person to perform a particular job or jobs, whether the remuneration received for performing the job or jobs is on a cost-plus basis, a flat sum basis or a salary computed at so much per hour.
(o) “Subcontractor” means any person who, in the capacity of an independent contractor, contracts with any contractor to perform a particular trade or job, whether the remuneration received for performing the job or jobs is on a cost-plus basis, a flat sum basis, or a salary basis computed at so much per hour.
(p) “Residential unit” means either a detached dwelling unit or an attached or stacked dwelling unit, as those terms are defined in the city’s Zoning Code.
(q) “Short-term rental” means the rental of a residential unit for less than thirty days. A short-term rental is not a bed and breakfast house or home occupation as defined in the Zoning Code for purposes of this chapter.
(r) “Long-term rental” means the rental or lease of a residential unit for a period of thirty days or more. A long-term rental is not a bed and breakfast house or home occupation as defined in the Zoning Code.
(s) “Single-family residence,” only for purposes of this chapter, means a dwelling unit considered to be single-family (including cottages and carriage units), accessory dwelling units (both attached and detached), and two/three-unit homes, as those are defined in the Kirkland Zoning Code. (Ord. 4821 § 1, 2022; Ord. 4658 § 2, 2018: Ord. 4607 § 2, 2017: Ord. 4416 § 38, 2013: Ord. 4161 § 2, 2008: Ord. 3990 § 1, 2005: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.040 Business license required.
(a) It is unlawful to engage in any business within the city without first having obtained a business license (“license”) from the city and being the holder of a currently valid license to engage in such business or activity.
(b) If a business is conducted from more than one premises in the city, a separate registration and license shall be required for each premises within the city.
(c) If more than one business, as indicated with a separate UBI number, is conducted upon or from a single premises a separate registration and license shall be required for each separate business conducted, operated, engaged in or practiced.
(d) Persons or companies doing business in Kirkland must comply with this chapter regardless of the physical location of the business (i.e., whether inside or outside Kirkland city limits).
(e) Limited Exemption from Multiple License Requirements.
(1) A business which holds a currently valid city of Kirkland general business license need not obtain an additional business license to conduct business at a second location so long as the second location is not rented, leased, subleased or owned by such business.
(2) Government organizations are exempt from the requirement to obtain a business license for each location.
(3) A long-term rental business that has a place of business in a single-family residence and that holds a valid city of Kirkland general business license need not obtain additional business license(s) to conduct a long-term rental business at additional single-family residence locations within the city of Kirkland so long as the businesses are not performed under separate UBI numbers. (Ord. 4821 § 2, 2022; Ord. 4680 § 1, 2019: Ord. 4658 § 3, 2018: Ord. 4161 § 3, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.050 Operating without a license.
(a) Any person who engages in or carries on a business without having obtained a business license when required to do so shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter for each day during which the business is so engaged in or carried on. Any person who fails or refuses to pay a fee required under this chapter, or any part thereof, on or before the due date shall be deemed to be operating a business without having obtained a license to do so. Except as otherwise specified, any person violating this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor crime and a civil violation under Chapter 1.12.
(b) A business failing to obtain or maintain a currently valid license and yet conducting business within the city is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. Any remedy provided by this code with respect to a public nuisance is in addition to other remedies provided under this chapter. (Ord. 4607 § 3, 2017: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.060 No license required in certain circumstances.
(a) Employees. The requirement for a separate business license shall not apply to a person in respect to the person’s employment in the capacity as an employee, as distinguished from, for example, that of an independent contractor. For purposes of this section, it shall be presumed that a person is not an employee of a business unless that business makes contributions to the State Employment Security Department on behalf of such person. The fact that the business makes industrial insurance contributions on behalf of such worker will not rebut this presumption.
(b) Farmers. No license or registration fee will be required for any farmer, gardener, or other person to sell, deliver, or peddle any fruits, vegetables, berries, eggs, or any farm produce or edibles raised, gathered, produced, or manufactured by such person; provided, that this exemption does not apply to any dairy product, meat, poultry, eel, fish, mollusk, or shellfish (except as otherwise provided with regard to wild-caught salmon and crab under RCW 36.71.090).
(c) Real Estate Agents. For the purposes of this chapter, “real estate agent” means a person who is licensed under Chapter 18.85 RCW and whose license is being retained by a broker licensed as a broker under Chapter 18.85 RCW (“designated broker”). Due to the unique legal controls placed upon the real estate agent/broker relationship, a real estate agent whose license is retained by a designated broker holding a currently valid city of Kirkland business license is not required to have his/her own separate business license if all of the following are true:
(1) The real estate agent engages in no business in Kirkland other than the work with the designated broker; and
(2) The designated broker notifies the city in writing as part of each year’s business license renewal of the name of each real estate agent that the city should consider to be the equivalent of an employee of the designated broker for the purposes of this chapter; and
(3) The designated broker includes the real estate agent in counting the number of employees to determine the revenue generating regulatory license fee (RGRL) to be paid for the designated broker’s business license and includes the real estate agent’s gross receipts in calculating the designated broker’s gross receipts for the purposes of this chapter.
(d) If a person, or its employee, agent, representative, independent contractor, broker or another acting on the person’s behalf, engages in no other activities in or with the city but the following, it need not register and obtain a business license:
(1) Meeting with suppliers of goods and services as a customer.
(2) Meeting with government representatives in their official capacity, other than those performing contracting or purchasing functions.
(3) Attending meetings, such as board meetings, retreats, seminars, and conferences, or other meetings wherein the person does not provide training in connection with tangible personal property sold by the person or on its behalf. This provision does not apply to any board of director member or attendee engaging in business such as a member of a board of directors who attends a board meeting.
(4) Renting tangible or intangible property as a customer when the property is not used in the city.
(5) Attending, but not participating, in a “trade show” or “multiple vendor events.” Persons participating at a trade show shall review the city’s trade show or multiple vendor event ordinances.
(6) Conducting advertising through the mail.
(7) Soliciting sales by phone from a location outside the city.
(e) A seller located outside the city merely delivering goods into the city by means of common carrier is not required to register and obtain a business license; provided, that it engages in no other business activities in the city. Such activities do not include those in subsection (d) of this section.
(f) No license is required if a person engages in no activities within the city but the following:
(1) Activities that are within the term and scope of a city special event permit, pursuant to Chapter 19.24, or a community program activity as defined in Section 19.24.010 (e.g., vendors at a temporary booth who are included under an entity’s special event or community program permit, consistent with the term and activity for which the permit was issued);
(2) Activities that are within the term and scope of a city-operated and city-managed parks event that would otherwise be exempt if it was conducted pursuant to a special event permit;
(3) Attending meetings where the person does not provide training for a fee;
(4) Sale of one’s own residence;
(5) Employing a household employee or being a customer of a domestic worker (e.g., babysitters, nannies, health aides, maids, or yard workers); or
(6) Casual and isolated sales.
(g) No license or registration fee will be required for any judge or court commissioner of the Kirkland municipal court or for any person filling a judicial or hearing examiner position for the city of Kirkland. (Ord. 4680 § 2, 2019: Ord. 4658 § 4, 2018: Ord. 4441 § 1, 2014: Ord. 4198 § 1, 2009: Ord. 4161 § 4, 2008: Ord. 3990 § 2, 2005: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.070 Presumptions.
The following presumptions shall be made in interpreting and applying this chapter, unless rebutted as provided in this chapter:
(a) It shall be presumed that an entity that has been issued a Unified Business Identifier Number (“UBI”) by the state of Washington is a separate business that is required to have its own city of Kirkland business license.
(b) It shall be presumed that an entity that has been issued a state industrial insurance account number, a state self-insurer number, or a state revenue tax reporting account number is a separate business that is required to have its own city of Kirkland business license.
(c) It shall be presumed that average annual gross receipts of an entity are at least twenty thousand dollars per each employee who works for the entity in Kirkland except in the instances of short-term rentals and long-term rentals and leases of residential units. This presumption does not apply to businesses with one or fewer FTEs with gross receipts under twelve thousand dollars.
(d) It shall be presumed that an owner, manager, and/or managing partner of a business that is more than sixty days late in paying any amount due under this chapter is willfully, knowingly and intentionally evading his or her legal duties under this chapter. (Ord. 4658 § 5, 2018: Ord. 4607 § 4, 2017: Ord. 4161 § 5, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.080 Finance and administration director as license officer.
(a) The administration of this chapter shall be accomplished under the direction of the director. The director may make and publish rules of procedure and regulations for the administration of this chapter. It is unlawful to violate or knowingly fail to comply with any such rule or regulation.
(b) The finance and administration director shall collect all license fees and shall issue licenses in the name of the city to all persons qualified under the provisions of this chapter and shall have the authority to:
(1) Adopt Forms. Adopt application, license, renewal, annual return, and all other necessary or convenient forms and prescribe the information to be provided. Such required information shall include, but not be limited to, the information required in KMC 7.02.100(b) and other information as may be requested by the director or required by the Business Licensing Service to complete processing of the application.
(2) Obtain Endorsement. Submit applications, when deemed appropriate, to other city officials for their endorsements thereon as to compliance by the applicant with all city regulations which the officials have the duty of enforcing.
(3) Investigate. Investigate and determine the eligibility of any applicant for a license, the amount of fees or other amounts due as prescribed herein, and the correctness of data submitted to the city.
(4) Examine Records. Examine and audit the books and records of any applicant, licensee, or business when reasonably necessary to the administration of this chapter. The records of a business, including federal and state tax returns and invoices, shall be open for examination by the director or authorized agent at any time to the extent authorized by law. The director may require the attendance of any person at a time and place fixed by the director or authorized agent in accordance with and to the extent authorized by applicable law.
(5) Give Notice. Notify any applicant of the acceptance or rejection of the application.
(6) Regulate Form of Licenses. Ensure that each license is numbered, and shows the name of the licensee, and business address. (Ord. 4821 § 3, 2022; Ord. 4416 § 39, 2013: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.090 Confidentiality.
Repealed by Ord. 4161. (Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.100 Application for license.
(a) Formal Application Required. Every person required to have a license must submit a business license application to the Business Licensing Service. The application must include all information required for each license requested and full fees due, including the handling fee required by RCW 19.02.075. The Business Licensing Service will ensure the application is complete before transmitting the information and appropriate fees to the city for review prior to issuance of a license.
(b) The application must include the address of the business; an email address for the business; a phone number for the business; the name and address of the owner; an email address for the owner; a phone number for the owner; an emergency notification name, email address and phone number; the nature of business conducted; the form of ownership; the number of employees; and other information as may be requested by the director or required by the Business Licensing Service to complete processing of the application.
(c) Commencement of Business Activities. No person shall be entitled or authorized to engage in business within the city until such time as the director has approved the issuance of a business license pursuant to the terms of this chapter. The issuance of a receipt for the amount deposited with the application and/or the acceptance of a business license application by the city shall not be deemed to grant any right or privilege under this chapter, except as otherwise provided by law. (Ord. 4821 § 4, 2022; Ord. 4658 § 6, 2018: Ord. 4491 § 10 (part), 2015; Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.110 Review of application.
(a) The director, upon receipt of an applicant’s information, shall cause an investigation and review of the application to be made by the proper city officials, and shall approve or deny issuance of the license within thirty days after.
(b) The proposed use of premises shall not be in violation of any city building, safety, fire, health or land use regulations as determined by the city department charged with the enforcement of said regulations.
(c) If a person required by the terms and provisions of this chapter to pay a license fee for any period fails or refuses to do so, he/she/it shall not be granted a license for the current period until the delinquent license fee, together with penalties, has been paid in full. Neither the applicant nor the proposed business shall be in default under the provisions of this chapter or indebted or obligated in any manner to the city, except for current taxes and other obligations not past due.
(d) Qualifications of Applicants. The director may deny issuance (or renewal) of a business license or permit when the licensee, officer or partner thereof, or another person with a legal interest in the license:
(1) Knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to cause any person to violate any of the laws or regulations of this state or the city which may affect or relate to the licensed business;
(2) Has obtained a license or permit by fraud, misrepresentation, concealment, or through inadvertence or mistake;
(3) Is convicted of, forfeits bond upon, or pleads guilty to any offenses related to the operation of the licensed business or had a license revoked or suspended by the city or another jurisdiction;
(4) Makes a misrepresentation or fails to disclose a material fact to the city related to any of the obligations set forth in this chapter;
(5) Violates any building, safety, fire or health regulation on the premises in which the business is located after receiving warning from the city to refrain from such violations; or
(6) Is in violation of a zoning regulation or any other regulation of the city.
(e) If an application is denied, any person aggrieved may request director review as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 4658 § 7, 2018: Ord. 4422 § 2, 2013: Ord. 4161 § 7, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.120 Basic license fee.
The basic license fee for the annual license issued under this chapter shall be as follows:
(a) Basic License Fee.
(1) Each business with twenty thousand dollars or more in average annual gross receipts shall pay a basic license fee of one hundred dollars per year.
(2) Any business with less than twenty thousand dollars average annual gross receipts shall pay a basic license fee of fifty dollars per year.
(3) Businesses without a full year history must estimate the gross receipts expected in the next twelve months.
(b) Exemptions. The following entities may claim an exemption from the basic license fee, but if exempt under this subsection such entities shall still register and obtain a business license under this chapter:
(1) Organizations approved to be nonprofit by the state of Washington, which include the following: a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation described by Section 501(c)(3), (4), or (10) of the IRC; or a nonprofit organization that would qualify for tax exemption under these codes except that it is not organized as a nonprofit corporation; or a nonprofit organization that does not pay its members, stockholders, officers, directors, or trustees any amounts from its gross income, except as compensation to any person for services rendered, and does not engage in a substantial amount of political activity (RCW 82.04.3651).
(2) A governmental entity that engages solely in the exercise of governmental functions. Activities which are not exclusively governmental, such as some of the activities of a hospital or medical clinic, are not exempt under this chapter.
(3) A nonprofit business operated exclusively for a religious purpose, upon furnishing proof to the finance and administration department of its nonprofit status. For the purposes of this chapter, the activities that are not part of the core religious functions are not exempt.
(4) Civic groups, service clubs, and social organizations that are not engaged in any profession, trade, calling, or occupation, but are organized to provide civic, service, or social activities in the city. Examples of such organizations may include, but are not limited to: Soroptomists; Kiwanis; Lions; Rotary; American Legion; children’s and adults’ athletic organizations; and similar types of groups, clubs or organizations.
(5) Homeowners associations that engage solely in the exercise of functions which are not taxable. Revenues from activities which are subject to tax and are in excess of twenty thousand dollars are not exempt under this chapter.
(6) Political campaigns.
(7) For purposes of the license required by this chapter, any person or business whose annual value of products, gross proceeds of sales, or gross income of business conducted in the city is equal to or less than two thousand dollars and who does not maintain a place of business within the city. The threshold does not apply to regulatory license requirements or activities that require a specialized permit.
(8) For purposes of the license required by this chapter, any person or business whose annual value of products, gross proceeds of sales, or gross income of the business is less than twenty thousand dollars and who maintains a place of business within the city. The threshold does not apply to regulatory license requirements or activities that require a specialized permit.
(9) A business that can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the director that it is exempt due to preemption by state or federal law. (Ord. 4821 § 5, 2022; Ord. 4680 § 3, 2019: Ord. 4491 § 10 (part), 2015; Ord. 4161 § 8, 2008: Ord. 3990 § 4, 2005: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.130 Regulatory licenses.
A business that holds a current valid city of Kirkland regulatory license under another chapter of this code must also file the general business license application form, pay the general business license fee and pay the revenue generating regulatory license fee (RGRL) pursuant to this chapter. The license fee levied in this chapter shall be additional to any license fee or tax imposed or levied under the law or any other ordinance of the city except as expressly provided herein. (Ord. 4161 § 9, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.140 Utilities.
(a) A business that pays a utility occupation tax to the city pursuant to Chapter 5.08 must also file the general business license application form and pay a general business license fee.
(b) A business that pays a utility occupation tax to the city pursuant to Chapter 5.08 is subject to the RGRL which is set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 4161 § 10, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.150 Temporary business.
(a) General. One act of engaging in business in the city is sufficient to require a city business license. However, a person may apply to the city for a temporary business permit instead of a general business license. The city will be the sole judge as to whether a business qualifies for a temporary permit, considering factors such as whether the business has a fixed location within the city, whether the business has previously applied for a temporary permit within the last twelve months, and the city’s experience with similar activities.
(b) Permit. If a temporary business permit is approved by the city, it will allow the conduct of business for not more than thirty-five consecutive days. The permit shall state an expiration date which shall be not more than thirty-five calendar days after its term begins. The fee for this permit is fifty dollars. There will be no charge for this permit when business will be engaged in solely by an organization with a current IRS 501(c)(3) exemption certificate. A person who engages in business in accordance with the requirements of this section is not required to obtain a general city business license.
(c) Revocation. Once a permit has been issued, the city may find that the actual conduct of the business does not qualify for a temporary permit. If so, the city may revoke the temporary permit and require the person to immediately obtain a general business license. (Ord. 4161 § 11, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.160 Revenue generating regulatory license fee (RGRL).
(a) General. In addition to the basic license fee, the highest applicable RGRL in this section shall be paid for the annual license issued under this chapter.
(1) A business with less than twenty thousand dollars of average annual gross receipts shall be exempt from any RGRL.
(2) A business located within the city limits of Kirkland with ten or fewer employees or FTEs shall be exempt from the RGRL for the first year of business operation only. Businesses exempt from the RGRL under this subsection shall still be required to pay the basic license fee under Section 7.02.120 and register the number of employees and FTEs under this chapter.
(3) For the purposes of this section and in determining the applicable RGRL, the term “employee” means and includes each of the following persons who are not required by the city to have his/her/its own separate city of Kirkland business license:
(A) Any person who is on the business’s payroll, and includes all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees or workers; and
(B) Self-employed persons, sole proprietors, owners, managers, and partners; and
(C) Any other person who performs work, services or labor at the business, including an independent contractor who is not required to have a separate city of Kirkland business license.
(4) An entity that is entirely exempt from paying the basic license fee shall be exempt from any RGRL.
(5) An entity with some activities or functions that are exempt from the basic license fee and some that are not exempt shall pay an RGRL based on the number of its employees that are involved in the functions or activities that are not exempt.
(b) Amount of RGRL.
(1) Revenue Generating Regulatory License (RGRL) Fee Method. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, every person engaging in business within the city shall pay an RGRL based upon the number of employee hours worked in Kirkland during the previous year. Annual employee hours are calculated based on the sum of the four quarterly reports submitted to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries for the previous year. It will be the responsibility of the employer to determine the number of hours worked within the city from these reports. Businesses that did not file quarterly reports with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries shall determine the number of hours worked within the city and demonstrate, if required, to the satisfaction of the finance and administration director or his/her authorized agent, that the number of employee hours worked is correct.
(2) The annual license fee (basic license fee and RGRL) shall be calculated by adding the basic license fee to the full-time-equivalent employees that worked in Kirkland multiplied by one hundred and thirty dollars. The approved tax rate per full-time employee is $0.067709 (which represents a RGRL multiplier of $0.067709 per employee hour worked), as may be adjusted herein. Employers without a full year history would need to estimate the number of employee hours that will be worked in the current calendar year.
(3) If a business has more than one location in Kirkland, the annual business license fee calculation must include a basic license fee for each location and the RGRL for annual employee hours at all locations.
(c) Alternative FTE Method. A business may choose to calculate its annual license fee by adding the basic license fee to the RGRL based on multiplying one hundred and thirty dollars by the number of its employees. The number of employees shall be based on the sum of the employees in the four quarterly reports submitted to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries for the previous year divided by four. It will be the responsibility of the employer to determine the number of employees working within the city from these reports. Businesses that did not file quarterly reports with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries shall determine the number of employees working in the city and demonstrate, if required, to the satisfaction of the finance and administration director or his/her authorized agent, that the number of employees is correct. Employers without a full year history would need to estimate the number of employees that will work in the city for the current calendar year.
(1) Once the FTE methodology has been selected, it must be used for future renewals.
(2) Businesses with more than one location must use the same method of calculation for all locations.
(3) For businesses with employees who work less than one thousand, nine hundred twenty hours per year (the work hour figure used by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries) the total number of hours worked by all such employees during the four quarters of the previous year shall be added together and divided by one thousand, nine hundred twenty to determine the FTE equivalency.
(4) It will be the responsibility of the business to determine the total number of FTEs (or equivalency) and demonstrate, if required, to the satisfaction of the finance and administration director or his/her authorized agent that the calculation is accurate.
(d) The license fee for a business required to be licensed under this chapter and not located within the city’s corporate limits shall be calculated by adding the basic license fee and the RGRL based upon the number of employee hours worked within the city, but in no event shall the license fee be less than the minimum fee set forth in this chapter. If the number of employee hours worked is not known at the time of renewal, the business shall estimate the maximum number of employee hours they anticipate using in Kirkland during the year.
(e) Businesses doing business in the city that have no employees physically working within the city shall pay the minimum license fee required under this chapter.
(f) The minimum fee for any license issued under this chapter shall be the basic license fee and the minimum RGRL, as may be adjusted herein.
(g) Payment made by draft or check shall not be deemed a payment of the fee unless and until the same has been honored in the usual course of business, nor shall acceptance of any such check or draft operate as a quittance or discharge of the fee unless and until the check or draft is honored. The Business Licensing Service will address any dishonored payment submitted through its processes. Any person who submits a business license fee payment by check directly to the city pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be assessed an NSF fee set by the finance and administration director if the check is returned unpaid by a bank or other financial institution for insufficient funds in the account or for any other reason.
(h) If any person required by the terms and provisions of this chapter to pay a license fee for any period fails or refuses to do so, he or she shall not be granted a license for the current period until the delinquent license fee, together with penalties, has been paid in full. Any license fee due and unpaid under this chapter and any penalties thereon shall constitute a debt to the city and may be collected in court proceedings in the same manner as any other debt in like amount, which remedy shall be in addition to all other existing remedies.
(i) If no higher RGRL applies under this section, then the minimum RGRL shall be based on one FTE. (Ord. 4816 § 1, 2022; Ord. 4658 § 8, 2018: Ord. 4554 § 1, 2017: Ord. 4416 § 40, 2013: Ord. 4394 § 1, 2013; Ord. 4161 § 12, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.170 Determination of number of employees for RGRL.
For the purposes of this section, “employee” shall be defined as in Section 7.02.160.
(a) Standard Rule. In determining the amount of RGRL to be paid for the upcoming license year, the number of employees shall be the current number of employees or the number of employees on the last regular working day of each of the last twelve months divided by twelve, whichever is higher. Each person who comes under the definition of “employee” shall be counted as one employee, even if the person works part-time.
(b) Alternative Method (“FTE”). A business may choose to calculate the number of employees for the purpose of the RGRL according to the following alternative method based on the number of employee hours worked for the business during the previous year:
(1) The business must notify the city of its choice to use the FTE method. It will be the responsibility of the business to determine the number of hours worked for the business, taking into account the information submitted to L&I in the last four quarterly reports. The business must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the director, that the alternative calculation is accurate. The director may require the business to submit copies of its L&I reports.
(2) Each employee who worked more than one thousand, nine hundred twenty hours during the previous year (including paid time off) shall be counted as one employee. If a person such as an owner or partner devotes more than one thousand, nine hundred twenty hours per year to the business, then that person must be counted as one employee for RGRL purposes.
(3) Where there are employees who work less than one thousand, nine hundred twenty hours per year, the total number of hours worked by all such employees during the previous year shall be added together and divided by one thousand, nine hundred twenty. A fraction of one-half or over shall be rounded up. Hours worked by persons who are defined as employees for RGRL purposes must be included in the calculation even if the business is not required to report to L&I concerning such persons.
(4) The results from subsection (b)(2) of this section plus subsection (b)(3) of this section shall be the total number of employees used to determine the amount of the RGRL.
(c) New Businesses. The RGRL for a business that did not submit reports for each of the last four quarters to L&I shall be based on the estimated number of employees of that business. The business shall provide its estimate of the average number of employees for the upcoming year. The city will determine the number of employees that will be used in calculating the amount of the RGRL. If, during the license year, the city determines that the actual number of employees is significantly different than estimated, then the amount of the RGRL will be recalculated for the new business. If the revised RGRL is higher, the business must pay the difference within thirty days after notification.
(d) Over-Reporting Number of Employees. A licensee may request that the city refund RGRL overpaid on the basis that the business miscounted the number of employees by an error factor of more than fifteen percent. The request must be in writing and the city must receive the request and all supporting documentation no later than sixty days after the end of the licensee’s fiscal year in which the error was made. If the city is satisfied that the licensee paid an excess RGRL, then the city will refund the excess RGRL paid by the licensee. (Ord. 4821 § 6, 2022; Ord. 4161 § 13, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.175 Temporary employees.
The following provisions shall apply to businesses engaged in the practice of providing temporary employees or workers (“temporary agencies”) to businesses located within the city and to businesses located within the city which utilize the services of such employees or workers:
(a) Temporary agencies located within the city shall include all temporary employees and workers placed with businesses located within the city in calculating the number of employee hours worked, in addition to employees described under Section 7.02.160;
(b) Temporary agencies located outside the city which place temporary employees or workers with businesses located within the city shall include all such temporary employees and workers in calculating the number of hours worked by their employees;
(c) Businesses located within the city which utilize temporary employees or workers provided by a temporary agency shall not include the temporary employees or workers in calculating the number of their employee hours;
(d) Temporary agencies placing temporary employees and workers within the city shall calculate the number of hours worked by such employees and workers in the manner provided by Section 7.02.160(a);
(e) In submitting an initial business license application or subsequent renewal application, all businesses located within the city which use temporary employees or workers furnished by a temporary agency shall indicate the number of employee hours worked by using the formula set forth in Section 7.02.160(a) and further indicate the names and addresses of the temporary agencies furnishing said employees or workers. Failure to so report the number of hours worked by temporary employees or workers or the names and addresses of the agencies furnishing said employees or workers shall result in imposition of a penalty equal to ten percent of the company’s total business license fee. In addition, failure to report may result in revocation, suspension, or denial of the business license. (Ord. 4161 § 14, 2008)
7.02.180 License period, renewal and terms.
(a) A business license will expire on the date established by the Business Licensing Service and must be renewed on or before that date. The term and respective fee of the license may be prorated to synchronize the expiration date with the date established by the Business Licensing Service.
(b) Display of License. A license granted under this chapter shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the place of business of the licensee. No person shall allow any license to be posted, displayed, or used after its expiration, suspension, or revocation, or if it is not a valid license for the premises where displayed.
(c) A business licensee’s account information is governed by RCW 19.02.115 concerning its disclosure.
(d) Change of Location. A licensee must notify the Business Licensing Service of a change in location. The change may require reapplication for a new license, and approval by the city before commencing business at the new location, as provided for in this chapter.
(e) Payment made by draft or check shall not be deemed a payment of the fee unless and until the same has been honored in the usual course of business, nor shall acceptance of any such check or draft operate as a quittance or discharge of the amounts due unless and until the check or draft is honored. (Ord. 4658 § 9, 2018: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.190 Penalties.
(a) Late Renewal. A business that fails to renew its license by the expiration date will be assessed the state’s late renewal penalty required by RCW 19.02.085 and will be assessed the city’s late renewal penalty as follows:
(1) Up to twenty-nine days late, a penalty of twenty-five dollars or ten percent of the amount for the license, whichever is greater;
(2) Between thirty and fifty-nine days late, a penalty of fifty dollars or fifty percent of the amount for the license, whichever is greater;
(3) Sixty or more days late, a penalty of one hundred dollars or one hundred percent of the amount for the license, whichever is greater;
(b) A business license that remains delinquent for at least one hundred twenty days after the expiration date will be canceled. After cancellation, a business must reapply for a business license as provided in this chapter in order to continue business in the city.
(c) Late Application. A business that fails to obtain a license before first commencing business in Kirkland shall pay a penalty directly to the city according to the schedule in this subsection. The penalty is in addition to the amount charged for the annual license for all years the business has been in operation or to the greatest extent allowed by law; provided, that the number of days late shall mean the number of days between the commencement of business and the date the city receives a complete application.
(1) Up to twenty-nine days late, a penalty of twenty-five dollars or ten percent of the amount for the license, whichever is greater;
(2) Between thirty and fifty-nine days late, a penalty of fifty dollars or fifty percent of the amount for the license, whichever is greater;
(3) Sixty or more days late, a penalty of one hundred dollars or one hundred percent of the amount for the license, whichever is greater.
(d) Under-Reporting of Annual Gross Receipts. If the city determines that the annual gross receipts were under-reported at the time of application or renewal, and such underreporting caused the incorrect basic license fee to be paid, the business shall pay the balance of the basic license fee together with a penalty of twenty percent of such due balance. The business shall also reimburse the city for any accounting, legal, or administrative expenses incurred by the city in determining the under-reporting or in collecting the additional amounts. The director shall mail written notice of the amount to be paid and the business shall pay said amount to the city within thirty days. If the city does not receive timely payment, an additional penalty shall be added, applying the schedule for late payments in this chapter.
(e) Under-Reporting of Employees. If the city determines that the number of employees required to be reported or calculated under KMC 7.02.160 or 7.02.170 was under-reported at the time of application or renewal by an error factor of more than fifteen percent, the business shall pay the balance of the applicable RGRL together with a penalty of twenty percent of such balance due. The business shall also reimburse the city for any accounting, legal, or administrative expenses incurred by the city in determining the under-reporting or in collecting the additional amounts. The director shall mail written notice of the amount to be paid and the business shall pay said amount to the city within thirty days. If the city does not receive timely payment, an additional penalty shall be added, applying the schedule for late payments in this chapter.
(f) The director is authorized, but not obligated, to waive all or a portion of the penalties provided herein in the event that the director determines that the late payment or under-reporting was the result of excusable neglect or extreme hardship. (Ord. 4821 § 7, 2022; Ord. 4658 § 10, 2018: Ord. 4161 § 15, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.200 Debt owed to city.
(a) Any amount due and unpaid under this chapter and any city-assessed penalty thereon shall constitute a debt to the city and may be collected in the same manner as any other debt, including through code enforcement and court proceedings, and these remedies shall be in addition to all other existing remedies. Interest shall accrue on amounts owed to the city under this chapter at the same rate as provided for superior court judgments.
(b) Issuance of a business license does not forgive amounts owed to the city or penalties thereon. (Ord. 4658 § 11, 2018: Ord. 4607 § 5, 2017: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.210 Transfer or sale of business—New license required.
A city business license is personal to the licensee and is nontransferable. Upon the sale or transfer of a business, the license issued to the prior owner or transferor shall automatically expire on the date of such sale or transfer. The new owner must obtain a new business license. (Ord. 4658 § 12, 2018: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.220 Notification of termination of business activities.
(a) Any person who obtains a city business license and thereafter ceases to engage in business shall so notify the city in writing. A business shall be presumed to continue in operation within the city until the city receives such notice of termination of business activities and enforcement proceedings may be conducted on the basis of this presumption.
(b) There shall be no pro rata refund of the basic license fee. However, a business may request a pro rata refund of the RGRL if the city receives such request within thirty days after business activities cease. The city shall calculate and refund such pro rata amount based on the date business ceased or the date the city received the required notice, whichever is later. (Ord. 4161 § 16, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.230 Notification of exemption.
(a) A licensee may request that the city reissue a business license on the basis of a new or newly recognized exemption or partial exemption. The request must be in writing and the city must receive the request and all supporting documentation no later than thirty days prior to the expiration date of the current license.
(b) If the city is satisfied that the exemption or partial exemption applies, then the city will refund a pro rata amount of excess fees based on the date the city received all information necessary to consider the request. Both the basic license fee and the RGRL are subject to pro rata refund. (Ord. 4161 § 17, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.240 Requests for director review.
(a) Any person aggrieved by a presumption or rule in this chapter and any person seeking a waiver or interpretation under this chapter may request director review of the same.
(b) The request for review shall be delivered in writing to the finance and administration department within fourteen calendar days after the person discovers the issue of concern.
(c) The director may require the person to submit background information and may hold a conference with the person. After review, and the conference if one is held, the director will make a determination regarding the issue of concern. The director will mail notice of the determination to the person. This determination is subject to appeal pursuant to Section 7.02.250. If no such appeal is filed, the determination shall become final. (Ord. 4491 § 10 (part), 2015; Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.250 Appeal.
(a) Any person aggrieved by a determination of the director may appeal such determination to the hearing examiner pursuant to this section.
(b) Form of Appeal. An appeal must be in writing and must contain the following:
(1) The name and address of the appellant;
(2) A statement identifying the determination of the director from which the appeal is taken;
(3) A statement setting forth the grounds upon which the appeal is taken and identifying specific errors the director is alleged to have made in making the determination; and
(4) A statement identifying the requested relief from the determination being appealed.
(c) Time and Place to Appeal. An appeal shall be filed with the director with a copy to the city clerk’s office no later than fourteen calendar days following the date on which the city mailed the notice of the determination. Failure to follow the appeal procedures in this section shall preclude the taxpayer’s right to appeal.
(d) Appeal Hearing. The director shall transmit the appeal to the hearing examiner. The hearing examiner shall schedule a hearing date and notify the appellant and the director of such hearing date. The hearing examiner shall conduct an appeal hearing in accordance with this chapter and procedures developed by the hearing examiner, at which time the appellant and the director shall have the opportunity to be heard and to introduce evidence relevant to the subject of the appeal.
(e) Burden of Proof. The appellant shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the determination of the director is erroneous.
(f) Hearing Record. The hearing examiner shall make an electronic sound recording of each appeal hearing unless the hearing is conducted solely in writing.
(g) Decision of the Hearing Examiner. Following the hearing, the hearing examiner shall enter a decision on the appeal, supported by written findings and conclusions in support thereof. A copy of the findings, conclusions and decision shall be mailed to the appellant and to the director.
(h) Appeal Not a Stay. Filing an appeal will not stay the effect of the director’s determination. Interest and/or penalties shall continue to accrue on all unpaid amounts, notwithstanding the fact that an appeal has been filed.
(i) A writ of review regarding the decision of the hearing examiner may be sought from King County superior court by the appellant or by the city. A proper request for a writ of review must be filed with the superior court within twenty calendar days following the date that the decision of the hearing examiner was mailed to the parties. Review by the superior court shall be on, and shall be limited to, the record on appeal created before the hearing examiner. Filing with the court does not automatically stay the effect of the city’s decision. (Ord. 4161 § 18, 2008: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.260 Suspension or revocation of license—Criteria.
The director may suspend or revoke a business license or permit when the licensee, officer or partner thereof, or another person with a legal interest in the license:
(1) Knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to cause any person to violate any of the laws of this state or the city which may affect or relate to the licensed business;
(2) Has obtained a license or permit by fraud, misrepresentation, concealment, or through inadvertence or mistake;
(3) Is convicted of, forfeits bond upon, or pleads guilty to any offenses related to the operation of the licensed business;
(4) Makes a misrepresentation or fails to disclose a material fact to the city related to any of the obligations set forth in this chapter;
(5) Violates any building, life or public safety, fire or health regulation on the premises in which the business is located after receiving warning from the city to refrain from such violations;
(6) Is in violation of a zoning or building code or other material regulation of the city, including the responsibility to exercise best efforts to help ensure conflicts between short-term renters and neighbors are avoided as set forth in Section 7.02.300(3); or
(7) Is indebted or obligated to the city for past due fees or taxes, excluding special assessments such as LID assessments. (Ord. 4607 § 6, 2017: Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.270 Procedures for revocation or suspension.
(a) When the director determines that there is a reasonable basis for suspending or revoking a business license, the director shall notify the licensee by regular and certified mail of the city’s intention to suspend or revoke such license. The notice shall also state the reason for the suspension or revocation and the date that the suspension or revocation will become effective unless a hearing is requested. The suspension or revocation shall become effective eight days after the date the notice is mailed unless the licensee, within such eight-day period, files a written request with the director for a hearing. The licensee shall state why the criteria in Section 7.02.260 do not apply to his/her/its business.
(b) Hearing Procedure. The director shall schedule and hold a hearing within twenty days following receipt of a request that meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section. The suspension or revocation will be stayed pending the director’s decision after the hearing. At the hearing, both the licensee and the city shall be entitled to present evidence.
(c) Upon the completion of the hearing, the director shall make a decision about the suspension or revocation and shall deliver the written decision to the licensee. If delivery is via mail, it shall be by both regular and certified mail. If the decision is to suspend or revoke the license, such action shall be effective one day after delivery of the decision; provided, that the effective date shall be four days after the date of mailing, if delivery is via mail. This decision shall be the final decision of the city.
(d) Any person who continues to engage in business after the effective date of their license suspension or revocation shall be deemed to be knowingly operating without a license for the purposes of the crime of “operating without a license” (see Section 7.02.050(a)); provided, that a person convicted of a crime involving a suspended or revoked license shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(e) Return of License upon Revocation. Whenever a license is revoked, the licensee shall immediately return the license to the finance and administration department. There shall be no refund of any part of the amount paid for the annual license. In order for the business to resume operation, city approval of a new application for a new annual license is required.
(f) A writ of review regarding the suspension or revocation may be sought from King County superior court. A proper request for a writ of review must be filed with the superior court within twenty calendar days after the effective date of the suspension or revocation. Review by the superior court shall be on, and shall be limited to, the information that was before the director. Filing with the court does not automatically stay the suspension or revocation. (Ord. 4569 § 1, 2017: Ord. 4491 § 10 (part), 2015; Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.280 License fee additional to others imposed.
The license fee required by this chapter shall be additional to any license fee or tax imposed or levied under the law or any other ordinance of the city, except as expressly provided herein. (Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.290 License not construed to permit prohibited uses or activities.
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, a license hereunder shall not be issued to any person who uses or occupies or proposes to use or occupy any real property or otherwise conducts or proposes to conduct any business in violation of the provisions of any ordinance of the city of Kirkland or of the statutes of the state of Washington. The granting of a business license shall in no way be construed as permission or acquiescence in a prohibited activity or other violation of the law. (Ord. 3884 § 2 (part), 2003)
7.02.300 Short-term rentals—Special provisions.
The following special provisions are applicable to short-term rentals of detached dwelling units:
(1) Short-term rentals are freely permitted as they relate to frequency and total number of days per year when an owner or authorized agent of an owner continuously occupies a portion of a short-term rental as his or her primary residence.
(2) Short-term rentals not exceeding a total of one hundred twenty days per year are permitted when (A) an owner or an authorized agent of the owner occupies all or a portion of the short-term rental as his or her primary residence for a total of at least two hundred forty-five days per year and (B) a property manager identified to both the city and all short-term renters is continuously available and located within fifteen miles of the short-term rental whenever the owner or an authorized agent of the owner is not occupying all or a portion of the short-term rental as his or her primary residence.
(3) Short-term rental agreements shall include provisions encouraging renters to exercise best efforts to avoid conflicts with neighbors related to issues such as noise, littering, parking and trespass, and the owner and authorized agent of the owner of a short-term residential unit shall be jointly responsible to the city for exercising best efforts to help ensure such conflicts are avoided as a condition of maintaining a business license under this chapter.
(4) There may be no more than two short-term rental agreements in effect at a single detached dwelling unit at any one time.
(5) The owners and authorized agents of owners of detached dwelling units that are the subject of short-term rental agreements are jointly responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable city Zoning Code requirements, including those related to the number of unrelated people occupying the unit.
(6) The owners and authorized agents of owners of detached dwelling units that are the subject of short-term rental agreements are jointly responsible for ensuring compliance with the parking provisions applicable to bed and breakfast houses set forth in the Zoning Code.
(7) The director of finance and administration may impose such additional requirements as may be necessary, consistent with the police power authority of the city, to protect the public health, safety and welfare in the issuance of business licenses related to short-term rentals. (Ord. 4607 § 7, 2017)