Burien, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- License cap
- One per 15,000 of population, last federal census
- Holding period
- 30 days after police are notified of receipt
- Stolen-property hold
- 120 days from police notification, renewable
- Base license fee
- $100.00 per single endorsement
- License year
- August 1st through July 31st
- Seller age limit
- No purchases from anyone under 18
Summary
In the City of Burien, Washington, BMC 5.10.070 caps pawnbroker licenses at no more than one for every 15,000 of population under the last federal census, and bars a pawnbroker from selling an item within 30 days after it is reported to the Burien police department. Every pawnbroker also needs the special activity license required by BMC 5.10.030.
(1) Limitation on Licensing. No pawnbroker’s license shall be issued which would increase the number of holders of such licenses to more than one for every 15,000 of population, according to the last preceding federal census; provided, that this population limitation shall not operate to prohibit the licensing of any pawnbroker duly licensed prior to the enactment of this chapter, if such pawnbroker is otherwise duly qualified. ... (5) No Sale within 30 Days. No pawnbroker shall sell or dispose of any article received or purchased by him or permit the same to be removed from his place of business within 30 days after the receipt of such goods has been reported to the Burien police department as provided herein, except when the goods have been inspected by regular members of the Burien police department, and they have authorized the pawnbroker to dispose of such goods within a lesser period of time; provided, that consigned property sold at auction of a resale value of $75.00 or less need only be held for three days prior to sale.
Full Breakdown
A pawnbroker in Burien holds a special activity license under BMC 5.10.030(1)(d), separate from and in addition to the business license under Chapter 5.05 BMC (5.10.040). Exempt from the pawnbroker requirements are dealers of prepackaged rebuilt automotive parts, persons exempted under Chapters 46.70 and 46.80 RCW, persons buying and selling bottles, cans or paper for recycling, and sellers conducting a sale under a legal forfeiture, foreclosure, liquidation or repossession. The base fee is $100.00 for a single endorsement (5.10.030(3)). The license year runs August 1st through July 31st (5.10.120), renewal is due on or before July 31st (5.10.130), and an application 30 or more days delinquent carries a penalty of one-half of the endorsement fee (5.10.140).
Under 5.10.070(2) every pawnbroker keeps an ink record of each purchase of secondhand goods with the date, the person handling the transaction, the seller's printed name, signature, date of birth, sex, height, weight, race, address and telephone number, a valid state driver's license or identification card or two government identifications, the address the property was last removed from, a description with serial or model numbers, and the price paid. Firearms entries add caliber, barrel length and type of action. Upon request the pawnbroker delivers a transcript of the week's transactions to the Burien police department at the close of every business week (5.10.070(3)).
A pawnbroker holding an item reported stolen keeps it intact and tagged for 120 days from police notification, and a verbal police hold lapses unless written notice follows within 10 business days (5.10.070(7)). The pawnbroker gives 20 days' written notice before the 120 days expire, and police can renew the hold for additional 120-day periods.
Violations & Fines
BMC 5.10.070(6) makes it unlawful to buy or receive an item known to be stolen, or one from a person under 18 years of age, from someone who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or from a known thief. BMC 5.10.150 applies 5.05.200: a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Under 5.05.140 the license can be denied, suspended or revoked, with appeal to the hearing examiner within 14 calendar days of notice (5.05.150).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burien
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