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1. Select a Location

Before you sign a lease, it is important to make sure the location is appropriate for your business. Some of the factors to consider are zoning, available parking, impact fees, and signage. Some questions you may want to ask are the following:

• Permitted land use:
  What is the zoning for this location? Is the business use allowed within this zone? Check out the Land Use Look Up tool for more information! This tool will help you find out where a specific use is allowed within the city. 
• Parking:
  How many parking spaces are required? Will a parking study be required?
• Impact Fees:
  Is the land use changing? If so, will impact fees be triggered? Find out more on impact fees here - scroll down to "Land Use."
• Home-based Businesses:
  What does the Redmond Zoning Code (RZC) allow?
• Special Use, Conditional Use, Change of Use:
  Are these required for my business?

2. Determine Building Use and Permit Requirements

Before signing a lease, it is important to determine if the building, work space, or suite is an appropriate occupancy for the proposed business, and if any construction permits will be required prior to you occupying the space. 

• Occupancy:
  Is your business the right occupancy for this space? Note: If the occupancy is not allowed, a change can be applied for. This may trigger other requirements including impact fees. Please contact the Plans Examiner to discuss. A pre-application meeting with all Development Services departments may be suggested.
• Permits:
  Will you require permits for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and/or storage racks?
• Signs:
  What are the regulations for signs?
• Home-based Businesses:
  How much space in my home can I use for my business? 

3. Contact Fire Prevention

Contact Fire Prevention for approvals and permits, if you:

• Change your fire alarm or fire sprinkler system
• Change your kitchen hood suppression
• Conduct operations with fire or safety risk
• Have high-piled rack storage
• Change your use or occupancy classification
• Store or use hazardous materials

Fire Prevention can advise you on:

• Fire and life safety, and possible annual fire code operational permits
• Annual confidence tests for your life safety systems
• One-time permits for tents, canopies, special events, carnivals, and fireworks displays
• The removal of underground and above ground storage tanks

Contact the City of Redmond Fire Prevention team

4. Obtain a Redmond Business License

A business license is required to engage in business in the City of Redmond whether you are located within Redmond, or simply conducting business in Redmond. You can learn more about business licensing including how to apply online here. 

Some important information to know is:

• In general, it takes 14-21 days from application submittal to license issuance provided all state licensing is in place
• General Business Licenses are renewed annually based on your anniversary/renewal date with the State of Washington
• Home-based businesses must also apply/renew their City of Redmond License through the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) portal
• All non-profits are required to obtain a business license; Those providing proof of their IRS 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption Status will be exempt from the licensing fee
• All licenses are non-transferable; New owners of a business must apply for their own license

Learn more about business licensing here.

5. Find Out if Your Business is CTR or TMP Affected

Businesses that employee more than 100 employees, scheduled to begin the workday between 6 - 9 a.m. are affected by the Washington State Commute Trip Reduction Law (CTR), which works to reduce driving trips in our state.

In addition, some buildings and business parks within the City of Redmond have Transportation Management Programs (TMP) affiliated with them, as an original condition of development, which help to manage traffic around the work or residential site. 

Learn more about CTR and TMP here.

6. Coordinate with Utility and Environmental Services

• Will you be discharging fats, oils, and grease (FOG) or any substances other than restroom generated waste water? Learn more here.
• Do you need to set up garbage, recycling, or yard waster services? You may be eligible to get free assistance on increasing your recycling. Learn more here.
• Do you need to open, close, or change a utility account? Learn more here.
• Find out how your business can help protect groundwater which makes up about 40% of Redmond's drinking water. Learn more here.
• If you plan to install any water using equipment to the water system or if you will be providing medical services, food services, or handling hazardous materials, be sure to review the Cross Connection Control Program and Backflow information. Learn more here.