City of Bonney Lake

Yes. Home occupations are considered businesses under the ordinance and are required to obtain a business license. Specific limitations and operational standards apply to home-based businesses under Bonney Lake Municipal Code Section 5.08.045.

Yes. Independent contractors fall within the definition of “person” and are subject to licensing requirements under Bonney Lake Municipal Code Section 5.08.020.B.

Yes, businesses operating from a location inside the City of Bonney Lake must meet all code requirements. This is to ensure that the business activity and site location are compatible with the City's municipal codes, building codes and zoning requirements.

Businesses may also need to get approval from other local, state, or federal agencies to operate the business, including but not limited to:

• Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department for food safety
• Sumner-Bonney Lake Pre-Treatment Program for sewer discharge
• Washington State Patrol for fireworks
  
  
  

General (Resident) Business License

A general (resident) business is a business with a physical location in the City that is not operated out of a home. General businesses are exempt from paying the general business license fee if its annual gross income earned within the City of Bonney Lake is $2,000 or less through December 31, 2025.

Beginning January 1, 2026, that threshold increases to $10,000. Even if a business qualifies for the exemption, it may still be required to obtain a business license.

Home Occupation

A home occupation is a business run out of a home. Home occupations are exempt from paying the business license fee if its annual gross income earned within the City of Bonney Lake is $10,000 or less.

Non-Profit Organization

Non-profit organizations are exempt from paying a business license fee.

Non-Resident Business

A non-resident business is any business located outside of the city that conducts business within the city limits. Non-resident businesses are exempt from paying the non-resident business license fee if its annual gross income earned within the City of Bonney Lake is $2,000 or less.

Operating a business without a valid business license is a public nuisance under Bonney Lake Municipal Code Section 5.08.070.D and may result in enforcement action, fines, and possible criminal penalties.

Yes. The City may revoke or suspend a business license for reasons such as failure to comply with City regulations, repeated failure to report criminal activity on the premises, or operating a public nuisance under Bonney Lake Municipal Code Section 5.08.080.

Yes. Bonney Lake requires businesses to report unlawful activity occurring on-site and prohibits discouraging employees from reporting. Failure to comply may be grounds for suspension or revocation of the business license (see Bonney Lake Municipal Code Section 5.08.080.A.7).

Yes. License denials, suspensions, and revocations may be appealed to the City’s Hearing Examiner within the timeframe specified in Bonney Lake Municipal Code Section 5.08.090. 

Business licenses are not transferable. If you sell or transfer your business, the new owner must apply for a new license. A location change also requires City approval before operating at the new site (see Bonney Lake Municipal Code Section 5.08.110) and may also require additional permits such as a Change of Occupant permit.

Yes. Businesses must provide written notice to the City upon termination of operations. Otherwise, the City will presume the business is still active and may pursue enforcement under Bonney Lake Municipal Code Section 5.08.120.