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Starting a New Business

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How do I start a business in the City of Port Orchard?

Welcome to the City of Port Orchard! We are excited to help you in your journey of opening a business and we are here for any questions you may have.

Important Notice Before Leasing or Purchasing Commercial Property in Port Orchard

Caution sign

The City of Port Orchard encourages prospective tenants and buyers to perform due diligence, including a meeting with the City, prior to signing a lease or purchasing commercial property.

As in all cities, some commercial spaces may present issues that will require your investment—including money and time—prior to opening your business. In addition to normal modifications that your business requires, you may face previously unpermitted modifications that will require intervention, equipment incompatible with your business or current laws, or required updates to ensure accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If these or other issues exist, you could be responsible for costly improvements—potentially tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars—before you can legally operate your business. The work—including permitting—can take time, may require an architect or engineer, and could affect your timeline for opening your business.

The City of Port Orchard wants your business to succeed. Early coordination with the City helps ensure that any needed repairs and improvements are clearly understood and appropriately reflected in the lease terms, purchase price, or planned build-out. We strongly encourage you to verify that any property you're considering is compliant with applicable codes and regulations before purchasing or signing a lease.

By contacting the City early in your process, you can avoid unexpected costs and delays and start your business on a solid foundation.

Starting a new business workflow

FIRST STEP! Contact the Department of Community Development (DCD) Permit Center to verify your type of business is allowed in the building you are considering, as each building has its own constraints and requirements based on its structure and zoning.  DCD reviews the location/space for your intended use and provides a Certificate of Occupancy if applicable codes are met.

State law requires that Port Orchard enforces the Washington State Building Code, which is updated every 3 years.  Older buildings may not meet the requirements of the building code for a change is use/occupancy without costly improvements.

New Business On-Site Meeting Request

Prior to signing a lease for a commercial property, request a 30-minute onsite meeting to discuss your business by completing the below form.  An incomplete application will not be accepted.

The information on the form and associated documents are considered public records and subject to public disclosure laws in Chapter 42.56 RCW.

Business Licensing in Port Orchard

Port Orchard Municipal Code (POMC) Chapter 5.12 .020 states that 'Any person, firm, or corporation that is engaging in business or carries on within the city any business, profession, trade or occupation designated in this chapter shall first obtain from the city a license to do so.

The City of Port Orchard partners with the Washington State Business Licensing Service to streamline the business licensing process. You can conveniently apply online through the State of Washington's Business Licensing portal.

💰 License Fees

📞 Need Help?
For questions about the application process, please contact the Washington State Business Licensing Service.

📚 Additional Resources for applying for a business license

Our website also provides:

Information on exemptions for business licenses.

Permit Center

Visit the Permit Center when you are ready to apply. Here you will find the forms you need, and lists for the types of documents you will need to include with your application.

Starting a new business in Port Orchard and have questions about permits, code, usage, and compliance? We want to help! Schedule a 30 minute in-person consultation with the city to give you important information and answer your questions. Please start by answering these questions. This will give us relevant information on your new business and proposed location to help guide you and give you the most helpful information possible. Once you submit your form you will receive an email back, usually within five business days, to schedule an on-site meeting.

Other Requirements

Occupancy

Prior to occupying or using a commercial space a Certificate of Occupancy must be granted. A Certificate of Occupancy is a legal document granted by the City Building Official upon the successful completion of approved work on a project, and approved inspections. It certifies what the business is, what codes the business is approved under, and the maximum number of people that can safely occupy the space.

POMC 20.200.012 (4)   https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/PortOrchard/#!/PortOrchard20/PortOrchard20200.html#20.200.012

For more information about the certificate of occupancy process, click here.

Home Businesses

Starting a home-based business in Port Orchard requires a valid City business license and must meet the definition and limits established in POMC Chapter 20.60. A home business is commercial activity carried on within a residence and intended to remain secondary to the primary residential use.

Home businesses must remain incidental to the residence and preserve the neighborhood’s residential character by avoiding increased noise, traffic, parking demand, safety hazards, outdoor storage, visible stock-in-trade, and commercial signage beyond what the code permits. Operations that create public nuisances or change the residential appearance are not allowed under POMC 20.60 and may require modification or denial of the home-business use.

The City enforces these standards and may inspect, condition, suspend, or revoke a home-business license for noncompliance under POMC 20.60, so applicants should review the chapter for specific criteria and limits before applying for a license.

Signs

Port Orchard allows a range of business signs that are sized and sited to fit your building and neighborhood, including building‑mounted wall signs, awning/canopy signs, accessory signs, and limited temporary signs;. Applicants are encouraged to review the code to see which types are likely permitted for the property.

Signs must meet the City’s standards for illumination, materials, placement, area, height, structural installation, and measurements to avoid safety or visual impacts, and the sign chapter also describes prohibited signs, nonconforming sign rules, and rules for digital and changeable‑copy signs.

Contact the Department of Community Development early to confirm allowed sign types, required drawings and submittals, and the sign‑permit process. Some signs or their installations may also require a building permit, electrical permit, or a master sign plan in addition to a sign permit.

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