ORD 25-015ORDINANCE NO. 25-014
AN ORDINANCE amending Chapter 5.02 of the Camas
Municipal Code to update the model Business License
Ordinance as required by RCW Chapter 35.90, effective
January 1, 2026.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Camas desires to better understand
which businesses are operating within the City; and
WHEREAS, the 2017 State Legislature passed Engrossed House Bill (EHB) 2005,
requiring all cities with business licenses to administer their business license through the
state's Business Licensing System (BLS); and
WHEREAS, EHB 2005, now codified as RCW Chapter 35.90, reqmres
Washington Cities and Towns with business licenses to create a model business license
ordinance with a minimum threshold and a definition of "engaging in business"; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Revenue and City staff have reviewed the business
licensing process and procedures set forth in Title 5 of the Camas Municipal Code (CMC);
and
WHEREAS, City staff recommends amending Title 5 CMC to add the process and
procedures to obtain business licenses through a combined license application and renewal
process and, to have that application process directed through the Department of Revenue
Business Licensing System; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reasonably believes the adoption of this Ordinance ,
with an effective date of January 1, 2026, is in furtherance of the health, safety, and
welfare of the citizens of the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CAMAS AS FOLLOWS:
Section I
Section 5.02.070 of the Camas Municipal Code is hereby amended as
follows, effective January 1, 2026:
5.02.070 -Exception-Applicability of provisions.
Some or all the requirements of this chapter shall not be applicable as described below:
A. Nonprofit organizations, as recognized being tax-exempt by the federal government
under USC 26 § 50l(c), are exempted from the city business license fee but are
required to register as a business with the director or designee. Provided, such
nonprofits, when designated as religious, educational, charitable, or fraternal in nature,
as described in USC 26 § 501(c)3, and solely performing their respective religious,
educational, charitable or fraternal activities, without any actual business conducted,
are fully exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter.
B. For purposes of the license required by this chapter, any person or business whose
annual value of products, gross proceeds of sales, or gross income of the business in the
city is equal to or less than $4,000.00 and who does not maintain a place of business
within the city, must submit a business license registration to the director or designee as
provided in this chapter, but are exempt from the city business license fee. The
threshold does not apply to regulatory or occupational license requirements or activities
that require a specialized permit.
The threshold amount will be adjusted every forty-eight months on January 1, by an
amount equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index ("CPI") for "West Urban,
All Urban Consumers" (CPI-U) for each 12-month period ending on June 30 as
published by the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics or
successor agency. To calculate this adjustment, the current rate will be multiplied by
one plus the cumulative four-year (forty-eight month) CPI increase using each 12-
month period ending on June 30 of each prior year, and rounded to the nearest $100.00.
However, if any of the annual CPI increases are more than five ( 5) percent, a five ( 5)
percent increase will be used in computing the annual basis and if any of the annual
CPI decreased during the forty-eight-month period, a zero (0) percent increase will be
used in computing the annual basis.
Section II
This ordinance shall take force and be in effect January 1, 2026, following its
publication according to law.
PASSED BY the Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this 8th day of August, 2025.
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City Attorney