Special Business Licenses/Permits

The distribution of flyers within the city limits requires a Bill Poster/Sample Distributor License. The fee for this type of a license is $10 per day (per person) and takes 24-48 hours to process. Please be aware that if you are distributing flyers on private property, you must have the property owner permission indicated by their signature on the form (i.e. private parking lot). Additionally, you are responsible for picking up any of your flyers that may have been littered in the area. The form is available here (PDF), just print and submit it to the city clerk’s office with payment by personal check, money order, cashier check or exact change cash.

The City Clerk’s office is located on the 4th floor of the Puyallup City Hall Building, 333 South Meridian, Puyallup.

Mobile Food Vendor License
The mobile food vendor license is for the individual who wishes to sell food items to consumers from a motorized vehicle. The applicant must provide proof of vehicle insurance, provide a copy of a valid driver's license and pass a Police Department background check prior to any food sales from a motor vehicle within city limits. This process may take up to seven (7) working days to complete.  The fee for this license is $50.

License Valid Dates
All solicitor and mobile vendor licenses expire on December 31st of each year. The applicant may re-apply for a new mobile vendor license after January 1st.

Important Information Regarding Food Sales in City Parks 
Section 9.20.090 of the Puyallup Municipal Code (PMC) states that: "It is unlawful to sell refreshments or merchandise in any park without the written consent of, or a concession contract with, the Parks Director."  This license does not signify approval by the Parks Director.

Solicitor's License
The solicitors license is for the individual who wishes to go door-to-door, residentially or commercially, and sell items to consumers. All applicants must pass a Police Department background check before being able to solicit within the City limits. This process may take up to seven (7) working days for approval. The fee for this license is $50.
  
License Valid Dates
All solicitor and mobile vendor licenses expire on December 31st of each year. The applicant may re-apply for a new solicitor license after January 1st.

View the Solicitor Application   

Temporary Stand Information

Businesses established for the temporary sale of retail products, services and food must apply for a temporary stand permit. All stands are subject to a maximum of 30 days of site occupancy in any one-year period and must be situated on commercially owned property. Charges for a temporary stand include a $25 processing fee and a $10 per day of operation daily fee. Any business owner wishing to operate for more than the 30 days allowed by the Puyallup Municipal Code must apply for a standard city business license and a temporary use permit. The applicant may be subject to additional fees by Central Pierce Fire and Rescue (CPFR) for tent and open flame permits, and inspection and plan review fees.

Application Review
All applications are reviewed by the city's Planning Department and Central Pierce Fire and Rescue to ensure the safety of the operation and compliance with local regulations. The license will be issued to the applicant during the final inspection by the Fire Marshal. The $10 per day fee may be waived for non-profit businesses able to provide a copy of their 501(c)(3), statement of non-profit status, granted by the Internal Revenue Service.

Regulated By Municipal Code
Temporary stands are regulated by the Puyallup Municipal Code Chapter 5.32 refers to temporary stands for retail sales; and Chapter 16.20 refers to fireworks stands. If you have further questions, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (253) 841-4321.

Other Requirements
Please keep in mind that there are additional applications required by outside jurisdictions with a different deadline than the city's. The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department has a fourteen day requirement and Central Pierce Fire and Rescue requires that their applications be submitted thirty days prior to the event. Plan ahead to avoid paying late fees.

Reporting Revenue Information
Notice to all City of Puyallup Temporary Stand License Holders: When reporting revenue information to the State of Washington, please report City of Puyallup revenue to locator number 2711.

Washington State Fair Stands - Application Deadline is August 31st
All applicants wishing to operate a temporary stand outside of the fairgrounds during the Washington State Fair in September are required to obtain a temporary stand license. All applications must be completed and returned to the City Clerk's Office, located at 333 South Meridian, Puyallup, Washington. Businesses licensed as a temporary stand are not subject to the city's business license requirements.
Those interested in locating inside the fairgrounds will need to contact the Washington State Fair and Events Center at 253-841-5045 or visit their website.

Flower Stands - Deadline is 5 Working Days Before Stand Opens
A temporary stand application is required for the applicant who plans to operate a flower stand for a period of 30 days or less. The stand must be located on commercially zoned property; the zoning code does not allow for retail sales from a residential property. The applicant must complete the application and include the property owner's signature or a copy of a lease agreement. All applications must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office, 333 South Meridian, Puyallup, Washington.

Produce Sales
Any farmer selling his own produce (produce grown in Washington State) for more than 30 days per year must apply for a Temporary Use Permit - available through the Planning Department. If operating for less than 30 days, the stand is exempt from the requirements for a temporary stand license therefore no application forms are required.

Any other individual(s) interested in selling fruit and/or produce that is not grown in Washington State, from a regular location for less than 30 days per year, will be required to apply for the temporary stand license. If the intended stand is for more than 30 days per year, the applicant will need to apply for a standard business license AND a Temporary Use Permit - available through the Planning Department.

Fireworks Stands - Application Deadline is June 15th
Applicants interested in operating a fireworks stand must submit an application for a temporary stand. Fireworks stands must be located on commercially zoned property and are limited to the dates of June 28th through July 4th. Applicants must have the temporary stand application filled out in whole and signed by the property owner (a copy of the lease agreement may be substituted for the owner's signature). The Puyallup Municipal Code requires fireworks stand to submit a "Certificate of Insurance" and additionally ensured endorsement, listing the applicant as primary and the City as additionally insured for completed operations. All applications must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office, 333 South Meridian, Puyallup, Washington.

Christmas Tree Stands - Deadline is 5 Working Days Before Your Stand Opens
Applicants wishing to operate a Christmas tree stand must complete the temporary stand application. All stands must be located in a commercially zoned location. The applicant must have the Temporary Stand Application filled out in whole (a copy of the lease agreement may be substituted for the owner's signature) and turned in five working days prior to the opening of the stand. All applications must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office, 333 South Meridian, Puyallup, Washington.

Application Packet
View the full application packet (PDF).