Edmonds, WA Local Taxes & Fees: Business Tax Classification (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupation license required
- before engaging in any taxed business, ECC 3.20.030
- Electricity/gas/telephone/solid waste rate
- 6 percent of gross income
- Cable television
- 5 percent franchise fee plus 6 percent tax
- City sewer/stormwater utility tax
- 10 percent of gross income
- Monthly filers
- $10,000+/month gross, due 25th of next month
- Quarterly filers
- under $10,000/month, due 25th after quarter
- Penalty
- up to $250 fine, 90 days jail, per day
Summary
Edmonds requires an annual occupation license before running certain businesses inside city limits and taxes specific classes, electric and gas utilities, telephone and cable companies, solid waste haulers, and its own water, sewer and stormwater utilities, on gross income under ECC Chapter 3.20. Rates run from 6 percent for most utility classes up to 10 percent for the city's sewer and stormwater funds, collected quarterly or monthly by the city clerk.
After the effective date of this chapter, no person shall engage in or carry on any business, occupation, pursuit or privilege for which a license fee or tax is imposed by this chapter without having first obtained, and being the holder of, a valid and subsisting license so to do, to be known as an “occupation license.” ... There are levied upon, and shall be collected from, every person, firm, corporation or other entity on account of the business activities, license and occupation taxes in the amounts to be determined by the application of the rates against gross income as follows: A. Public Utility Districts. Upon every person, firm, corporation or other entity engaged in or carrying on the business of selling or furnishing electrical energy and power a tax equal to six percent is levied upon the total gross income from the sale of electricity within the corporate limits of the city during and for the term for which the occupation license is required
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4444, passed August 3, 2026).
Full Breakdown
030 makes it unlawful to engage in a taxed business, occupation, pursuit or privilege without first obtaining an occupation license from the city clerk, and each day operating without one is a separate violation. 870, and a 6 percent tax on telephone business gross subscriber and intrastate toll charges. C. 860 and a separate 6 percent business license tax on all cable operation revenues in the city. Solid waste haulers pay 6 percent of their disposal-service gross income. 70 percent in 2016 to 10 percent by 2021.
060 allows deductions for interstate commerce, bad debts and cash discounts. 080 is monthly, due the 25th of the following month, for businesses with $10,000 or more in monthly taxable gross income, and quarterly for everyone else, due the 25th of the month after each quarter. 160.
Violations & Fines
Operating a taxed business without a valid occupation license, or failing to apply, file a return, or pay tax when due, is unlawful under ECC 3.20.200. ECC 3.20.210 makes any violation of the chapter a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $250, up to 90 days in the city jail, or both, with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Edmonds tax general retail or service businesses under this chapter?
What is the occupation tax rate for Edmonds utility and telecom businesses?
What happens if a business does not get an occupation license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Edmonds
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