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1. What incentives are there for businesses in Mount Vernon?

Taxes, the City has no B&O tax (manufactures) and our sales tax rate is 8.2% compared to Seattle's 9.5%. The City has lower industrial building lease rates and asking prices. Affordable living and quality of life as well. Read more about incentives in Mount Vernon here

2. What is the population of Mount Vernon and Skagit County?

The 2019 population estimates from the Office of Financial Management are as follows:

• Mount Vernon is 35,740
• Skagit County is 129,200

3. What are the City's average permit turnaround times?

Permit turnaround times will vary depending on how complex a project is, how many corrections of plans are needed, and how quickly and completely responses are submitted back to the City when corrections are needed.  Following are average time frames for the listed permit types:

• Building permits for new single-family residential homes:  initial review comments in 2 - 4 weeks
• Building permits for new commercial buildings:  initial review comments in 4 - 6 weeks
• Civil permits (Fill & Grade) for commercial projects:  initial review comments within 4 weeks
• Planning Permits for Administratively Approved projects: initial review comments in 4 - 6 weeks 
• Planning Permits for projects requiring Hearing Examiner recommendations or approvals:  initial review comments in 6 - 8 weeks

4. How do I get a business license?

Follow these steps to obtain a City of Mount Vernon business license. Business License Application Process