Tacoma pawnbrokers need a city business license, must report every loan to the Tacoma Police Department, must hold pledged property for at least 30 days, and are capped at the interest rates set in RCW 19.60.
Pawnbrokers in Tacoma operate under both Tacoma Municipal Code Chapter 6B and Washington's pawnbroker statute, RCW 19.60. The state caps service charges and interest, including a 3 percent monthly interest cap on loans plus tiered preparation fees scaled to loan size. Tacoma pawnshops must record every pledged item with serial numbers and seller identification, hold pledged property in original condition for at least 30 days before sale, and electronically transmit transaction data to the Tacoma Police Department. Zoning under TMC Title 13 limits pawnshops to commercial and mixed-use districts.
Charging above the state interest cap, melting pledged jewelry early, or skipping police reporting can result in misdemeanor charges, license revocation, and civil penalties under RCW 19.60.
See how Tacoma's pawnbrokers rules stack up against other locations.
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