Spokane pawnbrokers operate under SMC Chapter 13 and Washington RCW 19.60. Operators must hold a city license, fingerprint employees, and report all transactions daily to Spokane Police via electronic property reporting.
Spokane regulates pawnbrokers and secondhand precious metal dealers under SMC Chapter 13 in conjunction with state law RCW 19.60. Each pawn shop must obtain a city pawnbroker license, post a surety bond, fingerprint the operator and employees, and submit daily transaction reports to the Spokane Police Department through an approved electronic reporting system. State law caps interest at 3 percent monthly plus a small monthly storage fee. Items must be held a minimum 30 days before resale to allow law enforcement holds on stolen property. Operating without a license is a misdemeanor.
Unlicensed pawn operation is a misdemeanor under RCW 19.60.020; failure to report daily transactions can suspend the city license under SMC Ch. 13.
See how Spokane's pawnbrokers rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.