Apply for a Bill Poster License Here.

Why would I need a Bill Poster License?

The distribution of flyers within the city limits requires a Bill Poster/Sample Distributor License. The fee for this type of 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’s 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.

Apply for a Cabaret License Here

Why do I need a Cabaret License?

Our Municipal Code defines a cabaret as "..any room, place or space whatsoever in the city in which music, singing, dancing, or other similar entertainment is permitted in connection with any hotel, restaurant, café, club, tavern or eating place, directly or indirectly selling, serving, or providing the public, with or without charge, food or liquor." The words “music and entertainment” as used herein shall not apply to radios or mechanical devices. Essentially, if you are a business that offers live music or entertainment, you are required to obtain a Cabaret License.

Upon receipt of a completed application, and payment of the $150 fee, a full investigation of the applicant by the Police Chief is conducted as required by PMC 5.48.040. Additionally, approval of the cabaret permit is conditioned to maintain compliance with all state and local building codes. Not limited to the owner/operator’s compliance with building codes occupant load capacity for the space, maintaining all exits, maintaining the fire alarm, maintaining fire sprinklers as applicable, and the nightclub provisions of the State Building code requiring automatic fire sprinklers for a facility that meets the definition in WAC 51.50. Nightclub. 

The cabaret license is valid for the calendar year it is issued, is not assignable, any license issued shall be subject to any rules or regulations of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board relating to the sale of intoxicating liquor, and any violation of said rules and regulations shall be grounds for revocation of said license.

Apply for a Fair Parking Permit Here 

What is a Fair Parking Permit and Why Would I Need One?

Each year during the Fall and Spring Washington State Fair, some residents, and businesses in the vicinity of the fairgrounds provide event parking in yards or other open spaces. If you would like to provide fair parking on your property and your lot has a capacity of 15 or more vehicles, you must apply for a fair parking lot permit. 
  
The application fee is $37.50 per parking lot and the permit is valid for both the Spring and Fall Washington State Fair. Application fees are payable by personal check, a debit/credit card, or exact change cash.
  
The application is available through the Quick Link on this page or from the City Clerk's Office located on the 4th floor of Puyallup City Hall, 333 So. Meridian, Puyallup. For further questions, you may contact the city clerk's office at (253) 841-4321.
  
Application
Apply Online for a Fair Parking Permit
 
More Information
Brochure: Parking cars on your property during the fair (PDF)

Apply for Food Truck License Here

Why do I need to get a license to operate a food truck?

Food trucks are required to obtain a license to operate in the City. The City defines food truck vendor as any business that prepares and sells food from a mobile van, truck, or other vehicle or conveyance. In addition to a License, food truck vendors will also need to obtain the following:

1. General Business License
2. Tacoma Pierce County Health Department Permit
3. Central Pierce Fire Operations Permit

Prohibited Areas

The following locations are prohibited from operating food trucks; please see the attached Mobile Food Vendor Pilot Program Map for more detail:

• City parks
• Within 300 feet of public events in public parks or right-of-way that include food vendors or food sales, except when authorized in writing by the event organizer. Examples include Farmer’s Market, Meeker Days, Night Market, and Concerts in the Park.
  • See the map linked here for the 300-foot buffer from Pioneer Park 
• Public right-of-way is as follows:
  • South Meridian between Main and Pioneer
  • East Stewart between North Meridian and 2nd St NE
  • West Meeker between 4th St SW and 3rd St SW
  • The north side of West and East Pioneer between 4th St SW and 3rd St SE

Food trucks are also prohibited from parking in 15-minute zones and also overnight. For additional rules and guidelines, please consult our Program Guidelines Here and review the Food Truck Information packet here Version OptionsSpecial Business Licenses/PermitsApply for a Bill Poster License Here.Apply for a Cabaret License HereApply for a Fair Parking Permit Here HeadlineApply for a Mobile Food Vendor License HereApply for a Solicitor License Here.

Participants in the food truck program are encouraged to complete a course with the Washington Stormwater Center to learn best practices on how to handle potential pollutants. To access this course and receive your certification of completion, click here Version OptionsSpecial Business Licenses/PermitsApply for a Bill Poster License Here.Apply for a Cabaret License HereApply for a Fair Parking Permit Here HeadlineApply for a Mobile Food Vendor License HereApply for a Solicitor License Here.

Apply for a Mobile Food Vendor License Here

Why do I need a Mobile Food Vendor License?

Mobile Food Vendor License
If you want to sell ice cream, candy, gum, soft drinks, and other similar pre-packaged products from a motorized vehicle within the City, then you must get a Mobile Food Vendor License. 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.

Apply for a Solicitor License Here

What is a solicitor and why do I need a License?

Solicitor's License
Solicitors are individuals that go door-to-door selling items directly to consumers. Anyone who conducts this type of business, either in commercial or residential areas, must obtain a solicitors license.  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.

Events that impact public spaces require a Special Event Permit. Please visit our Special Event Permit Page for details.

APPLY FOR A Temporary stand license HERE

Temporary Stand Information

Businesses established for the temporary sale of retail products, services, and food must apply for a temporary stand license per Puyallup Municipal Code 5.32. 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.

Applications must be submitted five working days before your stand opens. If you are seeking a waiver of the five day requirement, a waiver request to the city manager and a $100 refundable late fee, are required pursuant to Puyallup Municipal Code 5.32.285. Please keep in mind that there are additional applications required by outside jurisdictions with a different deadline than the City of Puyallup. 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.

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.

Fireworks Stands – The application deadline is June 15th.
Fireworks stands are limited to the dates of June 28th through July 4th.  Fireworks stands must be located on property zoned for commercial use and applicants must submit a copy of the lease agreement. 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 as required by Puyallup Municipal Code 16.20.  

Washington State Fair Stands – The application deadline is August 31st.
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. Businesses licensed as temporary stands 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. 

Produce Sales
Any farmer selling their own produce (grown in Washington State) for more than 30 days per year must apply for a Temporary Use Permit 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 a 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 through the Planning Department. 

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. 

If you have further questions, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (253) 841-4321.