City makes licensing your business easier

BY PAM STEVENS | EDITOR Effective on Sept. 10, the City of Lake Stevens has partnered with the State of Washington’s Master License Service (MLS) for administration of the city’s business licenses.

Most businesses in the area have probably already received their notice that licensing will be different from here on in. The goal is to make it easier for business owners to license their business through both the city and state.

“I think it is going to be great for us and for businesses,” Norma Scott, City Clerk/Administrative Assistant said.

Right now, the state has contracted with 19 other cities with three more signing on in the near future.

This means that businesses will be able to go online and renew their license not only with the city but also with the state at the same time. If they also do business in one of the other cities contracted with the MLS they will be able to license with those cities too, all for one renewal-processing fee of nine dollars.

“It’s kind of like one-stop shopping,” Scott said.

Another benefit is that business owners will be able to find out the up-to-date requirements and costs of doing business in other cities.

Six weeks before your current license expires the state will send you a renewal form, which will have a web address and password for renewing online.

As of Oct. 1 you will be able to use a credit card to pay any and all fees, making the renewal process even easier.

The city will still have control over all approvals and business licenses in Lake Stevens and will decide whether or not a business needs further inquiry or investigation before renewing their license.

“We still have control over our licensing but with very low cost to the city,” Scott said.

blog comments powered by Disqus