Tacoma, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- before pawnbroking
- License fee
- $250
- Redemption hold
- 90 days minimum
- Records kept
- 3 years, open to police
Summary
Tacoma requires anyone pawnbroking or dealing in secondhand goods to hold a City license, keep detailed transaction records, and report daily to police.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of pawnbroking; buying, selling, or trading in of secondhand goods in the City without first obtaining a license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4946110; v22 updated 2026-07-28).
Full Breakdown
Tacoma Municipal Code § 6B.160.010 makes it unlawful to engage in pawnbroking without first obtaining a City license. Pawnbrokers must log every transaction (customer ID, item description, price paid) under § 6B.160.040, report transactions to the Chief of Police by noon the next day under § 6B.160.060, and hold pledged goods for 90 days before sale under § 6B.160.070. The license fee is $250.
Violations & Fines
Operating as a pawnbroker without a license, failing to keep or falsifying required transaction records, or selling pledged goods before the 90-day redemption period expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to pawn items in Tacoma?
How long must a pawnbroker hold an item before selling it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
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Pawnbrokers in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle pawnbrokers.