Small business guide

The Small Business Guide (www.oria.wa.gov) provides helpful information, links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in Washington state. The Small Business Guide is available in English (PDF, 1.5 MB), Spanish (PDF, 2.4 MB), Russian (PDF, 1.9 MB), Korean (PDF, 2.3 MB), Vietnamese (PDF, 1.5 MB), Chinese (Traditional) (PDF, 3 MB), Japanese (PDF, 2.3 MB), Samoan (PDF, 1.9 MB), Somali (PDF, 1.8 MB), and  Tagalog (PDF, 1.8 MB).

The business guide includes sections that will help you plan, run, grow, or close a business in Washington State.

Regulatory handbook

The Regulatory handbook (apps.oria.wa.gov) contains details about most of the commonly required permits in the state and has links to regulatory agencies statewide.

This searchable handbook includes state, federal and local permits plus information about SEPA and NEPA processes. ORIA updates the online version regularly with the latest changes to regulatory laws and requirements. 

Permit timeliness data

Permit timeliness data (data.wa.gov) provides the estimated time required by an agency to process a permit application and issue a permit decision.

Restaurant success guide

The Restaurant success guide (www.seattle.gov) is provided by the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development. The purpose of the guide is to make it easier to navigate through the rules and requirements potential business owners will face as they start or grow their own restaurant in Seattle.