What is the purpose of the Business License?

The city council finds that in order for the City of Battle Ground to responsibly carry out the duties and authorities delegated to it by the Washington State constitution and laws of Washington as a non charter code city, maintenance of current information with respect to business, trade, service, commercial and professional activities carried on within the city is necessary and essential for the maintenance of the public health, safety and welfare; that such information can best be accumulated and maintained on a current basis through establishment of a license fee supported program for licensing and registration of such activities. (Ord. 99-029 2 (part), 1999)

Do I Have to Get a Business License?

Yes. It is unlawful for any person to engage in any business in the City of Battle Ground that is conducted, operated, engaged in or practiced in whole or in part within the city without first having registered with and obtained a business license from the city. If more than one business is conducted on a single premise, a separate registration and license shall be required for each separate business conducted, operated, engaged in or practiced. If a business is conducted from more than one premise in the city, a separate registration and license shall be required for each premise within the city. (Ord. 99-029 2 (part), 1999)

Click Here for Available Applications

What are the fees for a Business License?

2009-2010 Fee Schedule:

• $20.00-Initial Application Fee
• $35.00-Business License Fee
• $35.00-Yearly Renewal Fee
• $20.00-Temporary Business

A temporary business operates less than one month during the year.

FREE-501(c)(3) and businesses doing less than $2,000 per year do not need to submit any fees to obtain and renew a business license.

For further information on business licenses, please contact Colleen Regan, Customer Service Clerk

• Portable signs can be no larger than 10 square feet in size.
• Place portable signs on property where business is located.
• Keep portable signs outside of the public right-of-way (i.e. not on the sidewalk).
• Take portable signs in at the close of business every day.

Portables signs are regulated by the City of Battle Ground's sign code.Ê Portable signs, also known as sandwich board signs or A-frame signs, are temporary movable signs not permanently attached to the ground that advertise the services or goods of a business.

For more information on regulations for portable signs and other signs contact the Battle Ground Planning Department at (360) 342-5000. The guiding principles provide the framework for the vision concepts and map, the update of the Comprehensive and Transportation Plans and the implementation strategies.

• Identity - The identity of Battle Ground is directly tied to its "small-town character", associated geographic location and relative isolation from other urban areas in Clark County.
• Neighborhoods - Neighborhoods should be focused on existing features in the community and should recognize existing development patterns, as well as serve as the building blocks for future residential growth.
• Environment - The unique features of the natural environment, such as wetlands, treed areas and open spaces, should be preserved, enhanced and incorporated as a functioning part of the community's identity.
• Growth - Future growth should occur primarily to the west and south, and will occur in all directions consistent with the 50-year vision.
• Areas of Influence - Battle Ground should coordinate with other jurisdictions on issues outside the city limits to insure that the 50-year vision is realized.
• Downtown - A downtown core should be identified, maintained and strengthened.
• Transportation - Future transportation investments should make auto travel one option among many.
• Economics - Economic independence, with respect to employment and services, is important to the community.
• Growing Up - As the population of Battle Ground grows and ages, housing and services should be available so people and families can choose to age in place.
• Parks and Recreation - There should be a diversity of recreation options for a spectrum of lifestyles and future parks should be identified and protected.
• Infrastructure - Infrastructure investment, both public and private, should be sustainable financially and with respect to natural resources in support of the community's long-term vision.

The Vision Concepts provide specific guidance to the Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Plan updates as well as to future city policy decisions.

• Battle Ground is a city with a small town feel where both local and regional services are within easy reach.
• Battle Ground is the social, cultural, commercial, service, education and civic center for Central Clark County.
• The heart of Battle Ground is the downtown district which is centered at Main Street and Parkway and includes the school district property, old town, the railroad and a town square. This area will be planned as a cohesive district to take advantage of new opportunities and build on the current strengths of the area.
• There is a viable commercial district located on Main Street between 102nd and Grace. This district has different characteristics along its length, from large regional stores on one end to smaller, locally-owned stores on the other end.
• Battle Ground has one regional service center focused on Main Street between 20th and SR 503, community centers at Dollars Corner and Brush Prairie, and neighborhood activity centers located throughout the city.
• Public spaces and investments in schools, library, a youth center, senior centers and parks help to develop a sense of place while providing the services that make a complete community.
• A system of neighborhood, community and regional parks, greenways and open spaces are identified and protected for a range of passive and active uses. Where possible these sites are located adjacent to future school sites.
• Battle Ground is served by a number of transportation options within and around the city, including an I-5 interchange at 219th, public transit, the Chelatchie railroad and its corridor, and the opportunity to use an airport.
• Transportation access in Battle Ground is provided through a system of trails and local, collector and arterial streets that provide improved connectivity for a range of transportation choices, including autos, bikes, pedestrians, transit and commuter rail.
• Neighborhoods are the building blocks for future development and improvements and help maintain a small town feel. Neighborhoods are identified by a park, school, physical feature, commercial services or other community resource. Neighborhoods include multiple uses, such as convenience retail, personal service businesses and public institutions such as a branch post office or a community center.
• New housing developments offer a range of options and locations and help create new neighborhoods, while in-fill housing is sensitive to existing housing types and neighborhood character.
• New employment and economic development areas are identified, preserved and promoted throughout the city and provide family-wage jobs for residents of Battle Ground, help create a self-reliant community and provide a solid revenue base to support needed services.
• Battle Ground is influenced by the other jurisdictions surrounding it and will work with these jurisdictions to plan for the "areas of influence" in a manner that implements the Battle Ground 50-year vision.
• Gateways to Battle Ground are defined by physical features such as state and regional parks, the East Fork of the Lewis River, Salmon Creek, farmland, rural development, open space, large stands of trees, stream corridors, and environmentally sensitive lands. The city will work with the surrounding jurisdictions to protect these natural boundaries.
• The corridors leading up to the gateways are protected from development that would compromise the feeling of openness and increase traffic congestion. In particular, the city will work with Clark County and other jurisdictions to protect the areas of influence that surround the city, and especially the area between I-5 and the western gateway to the city.
• Stream corridors, environmentally sensitive areas and regional parks help to build identity and are protected, enhanced and integrated into the fabric of the community and provide needed open spaces, trail connections and the opportunity to live within a natural environment.
• All areas of the city will be planned in a comprehensive way that integrates the elements of a complete neighborhood, including employment opportunities, housing, parks and open spaces, transportation, environmental resources, and other civic services. Each area will be planned in the context of the entire city with particular attention given to how the area relates to the regional and community centers and the downtown district.