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Vendor requirements at King County International Airport (Boeing Field)

Seattle, WA. BFI. Sponsor: King County (King County International Airport, Department of Executive Services)

Vendors deal with King County, which requires a Commercial Operator Permit (COP) signed by the Airport Director before any paid aeronautical work, under the 2025 Minimum Standards and the 2025 Supplemental Rules and Regulations. Cleaning, washing, painting and upholstery fall in the "Other Commercial Aeronautical Activities" SASO category, and aircraft cleaning that creates runoff needs advance written approval from the Airport Director (dry washing does not). Insurance limits are not published and are set in each agreement with the County, with insurers rated at least A:VIII.

Partly published Checked against the published sources Last reviewed

Permit to operate

Commercial Operator Permit (COP), issued by King County International Airport (executed by the Airport Director and the operator).

Fee: Not published. Operators pay fees and charges "as specified by the County".

Rules and Regulations 4.2: anyone engaging in a Commercial Aeronautical Activity must meet the Minimum Standards, and users may not buy aeronautical services from anyone the County has not authorized in writing. Independent aircraft maintenance operators need a COP plus an approved access agreement, serve based aircraft only, and may serve transient aircraft only at the request of an FBO or Aircraft Maintenance Operator. Aviation fuel may only be provided by an FBO. Non-aeronautical paid activity needs written permission from the County. Ground transportation providers must get a County permit before starting service (Rules 8.2). Applicants submit the Commercial Operator and Lessee Application to Airport management, and the County then issues the COP (Minimum Standards 3.2).

Insurance minimums

CoverageMinimumApplies to
General liabilityListed for every operator category, including products and completed operations. No dollar amounts in the 2025 Minimum Standards; types and limits are set at the time of the agreement. Set in the agreement with the County All SASO and FBO categories
Business auto liability Set in the agreement with the County All listed operator categories
Hangarkeepers legal liability Equal to the maximum value of property subject to loss or damage Any operator with property of others on its premises
Environmental liability Set in the agreement with the County FBO, aircraft maintenance, independent maintenance, flight training, charter and management
Workers compensation and employer's liability If applicable; set in the agreement All listed operator categories

Endorsements and policy terms

  • King County, its officers, officials, employees, agents and representatives named as additional insureds on liability policies (not workers compensation)
  • Operator coverage is primary; County insurance does not contribute
  • At least 30 days notice to the County before cancellation, lapse or material change
  • Insurers rated A.M. Best A:VIII or better

Badging and security

  • Airport Badge Office: AirportBadgeOffice@kingcounty.gov, 206-263-2910. By appointment only, Monday to Friday 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. No walk-ins.
  • Applicants are sponsored by an airport organization they do business with, which sends a DocuSign application. The authorized signatory picks the badge type, the BFI training group enrolls the applicant in online security courses, and the applicant then books an appointment.
  • Bring two forms of photo ID. GA hangar and tie-down tenants start by emailing BFI.GA@kingcounty.gov.
  • Badge must be displayed above the waist on the outermost garment when unescorted on the AOA. Tenants escort invitees without badges in restricted areas.
  • Unreturned or lost badge fee: no less than $25 per badge. Tenants notify the Access Control Office within 2 business days when an employee leaves.

Vehicles and ramp driving

  • Every AOA driver must pass an Airport-approved driver training course, with a valid driver license verified before training (Rules 7.2 and 5.2). Permission from the Airport Director is needed before operating on the AOA.
  • AOA vehicles and towed GSE need a placard or decal showing the company, plus an amber beacon or, in daytime, an orange and white checkered flag (Rules 7.5).
  • Movement area access needs a two-way radio able to reach the tower, or an escort with one.
  • Speed limit airside: 15 mph. Stay at least 50 feet from taxiing aircraft and pass behind; 20 feet from wings and tails of parked aircraft where practical.
  • Vehicles may not be cleaned or maintained on the airport without written approval of the Airport Director, except minor repairs needed to move the vehicle (Rules 7.12).
  • Contractors coordinate vehicle movements with Airport Operations and may be required to attend an Airport safety course before a project.

Training

  • Online security awareness course before badge issue, plus badge-specific courses assigned by the BFI training group.
  • Airport-approved driver training for anyone driving on the AOA.
  • Only authorized and trained personnel (FBO employees or approved self-fuelers) may fuel aircraft.

Washing and environmental rules

  • Aircraft cleaning must fully comply with the Airport SWPPP (Rules 9.10).
  • Cleaning that creates runoff needs advance approval from the Airport Director. The written request covers the operator, location, time and duration, cleaning company, methods and materials, and containment.
  • Dry washing of aircraft, engines and parts does not need approval.
  • If non-biodegradable soap, solvents or degreasers are used, residual fluids must be hauled off the airport, sent to an oil/water separator, or disposed of lawfully.
  • De-icing must follow the SWPPP and happen only where the Airport Director specifies. Painting and stripping follow the SWPPP, SPCC plan and NFPA practices.

Fees

  • COP and access agreement fees: not published.
  • Badge not returned or lost: no less than $25.
  • New fees and rates were proposed in 2026; public comment closes 2026-10-16 at 5 p.m. Pacific.

Working under an FBO or tenant

SASOs are encouraged to lease directly from the County and may sublease from an FBO or another SASO when suitable space is not available, but the COP requirement and the rule against using unauthorized providers mean a vendor needs its own written County authorization. Independent maintenance may work from an Aircraft Maintenance Operator's facility or a County-approved spot, and reaches transient aircraft only when an FBO or maintenance operator requests it. Badges require a sponsoring airport organization.

What we could not confirm

  • Insurance dollar limits are not published; they are set in each County agreement.
  • COP application forms and review time are not published online.
  • Initial badge fees and fingerprint or STA details were not found.
  • The 2025 Minimum Standards cover is dated 2025-05-02 but the effective date field is blank; the 2025 Rules are dated 2025-11-01 and take effect on Airport Director approval. Confirm both are in force.
  • Proposed fee changes under comment in October 2026 may add vendor fees.
  • Whether a mobile detailer working only for an FBO customer needs its own COP or can work under the FBO's agreement was not confirmed.
  • The Washington stormwater permit details in the airport SWPPP were not read.

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