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King County, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

License fee
$500 per year
License cap
1 per 15,000 residents
Business hours
Closed 8 p.m.-7 a.m.
Interest rate cap
3% per month
Record retention
5 years, ink ledger

Summary

Unincorporated King County requires a $500 annual pawnbroker's license before anyone may operate a pawnshop, caps licenses at one per 15,000 residents, and closes shops between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

City-specific rules exist: Kirkland, Kent, Bellevue, Renton, Auburn, Federal Way, and Seattle have their own pawnbrokers rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to engage in the business of pawnbroker, or to conduct a pawnshop without first obtaining a "pawnbroker's license" pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

Source: Revised Code of WashingtonView official code

Full Breakdown

King County Code chapter 6.56 requires a pawnbroker's license (K.C.C. 6.56.010) before operating a pawnshop in unincorporated King County. The license costs $500 a year, due December 31 (6.56.030), and the county caps the number of licenses at one per 15,000 population from the last census (6.56.060). The Department of Public Safety investigates each applicant before the director issues or renews a license (6.56.040). Pawnbrokers must log every transaction in ink, report weekly to the sheriff's office, hold property 90 days past redemption before selling it, and keep shops closed between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. (extended to 10 p.m. December 1-24). Authorized interest is capped at 3 percent per month (6.56.130).

Violations & Fines

Operating without a license, keeping inaccurate records, or violating chapter 6.56 is a misdemeanor; the county can also assess a civil penalty up to $250 per violation (K.C.C. 6.56.180, 6.56.190).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this pawnbroker license cover pawnshops in Seattle?
No. K.C.C. Title 6 only governs unincorporated King County. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton and other cities license pawnbrokers under their own municipal codes.
What does a King County pawnbroker license cost?
$500 a year, due December 31 before the license year and prorated quarterly, under K.C.C. 6.56.030.
Can a pawnbroker keep property reported as stolen?
No. K.C.C. 6.56.160 makes it unlawful to pledge or purchase property known to be stolen, and pawnbrokers must return identified stolen items to the rightful owner free of charge.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

Tobacco Retail LicenseSome RestrictionsAdult EntertainmentSignificant RestrictionsSecondhand DealersSome RestrictionsTowing CompaniesSome RestrictionsAuto Repair on Residential PropertySignificant RestrictionsMassage EstablishmentsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All King County rules

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Pawnbrokers in Cities Across King County

Seattle, WABellevue, WAKent, WARenton, WAFederal Way, WAKirkland, WAAuburn, WARedmond, WA