License fee
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.700.080
in effect6.700.080 - License fee
A. The fee for a network company license issued pursuant to this Chapter 6.700 shall be $0.10 per online order that results in an app-based worker's delivery of goods or provision of other services in Seattle.
1. The fee revenue shall be used to recover the regulatory costs prescribed in Section 6.700.100.
2. The fee shall be due and payable on a quarterly basis, except that the fee for the 2025 calendar year shall be payable on the same date that the fee payment is due for the fourth quarter of 2025. Forms for such filings shall be prescribed by the FAS Director. Network companies discontinuing operations in Seattle shall report and pay the fee no later than the quarterly payment period following close of business.
3. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferrable.
B. The FAS Director, in consultation with the OLS Director, shall review the fee at least annually and shall make any adjustment necessary by rule to ensure the fee achieves full recovery, and no more, of the regulatory costs prescribed in Section 6.700.100 after consideration of available information for the following factors:
1. Actual and projected fee revenue;
2. The FAS Director's projected costs and annual budget allotted for the implementation of the network company license and fee;
3. The OLS Director's projected costs, including costs identified in the annual certification required by subsection 3.15.007.B, and annual budget allotted for the implementation of Chapter 8.37 and Chapter 8.40;
4. The number of network companies operating in Seattle;
5. The number of online orders subject to the license fee in subsection 6.700.080.A;
6. OLS's implementation data for Chapter 8.37 and Chapter 8.40 (e.g., number and nature of worker and business inquiries, data on open and filed investigation, resolved investigations, and financial remedies); and
7. Such other factors that the FAS Director determines are reasonably necessary for reviewing the fee.
C. The FAS Director, in consultation with the OLS Director, shall report to the City Council on establishing a reduced fee for marketplace network companies to reflect that such companies are only covered by Chapter 8.40, one of the two app-based worker labor standards incurring regulatory costs that can be recovered by fee revenue. The City Council intends to consider the FAS Director's recommendation for development of legislation that would establish a reduced fee for marketplace network companies. The FAS Director shall submit the report to the City Council after assessing initial fee revenue and the factors for consideration in subsection 6.700.080.B, and no later than July 1, 2026. The FAS Director's report shall include the following:
1. A recommendation for establishing a reduced fee for marketplace network companies and an assessment of the financial impacts;
2. The status of fee revenue for the 2025 calendar year and first quarter 2026; and
3. Other information that the FAS Director determines is relevant for the City Council's consideration of a reduced fee for marketplace network companies.
(Ord. 126953, § 1, 2023)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT6BURE_SUBTITLE_IVNELICO_CH6.700NECO_6.700.080LIFEFetched: 11/1/2026