Pierce County, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- License required by
- PCC 5.12.020
- License cap
- 1 pawnbroker per 35,000 residents (PCC 5.12.060)
- Pre-license review
- Sheriff plus Building and Fire officials
- New license allocation
- First-come, first-served (PCC 5.12.070)
- State law supplemented
- Chapter 19.60 RCW
Summary
Pawnbrokers in unincorporated Pierce County need a county license and face a hard population-based cap on how many can operate. PCC 5.12.020 requires the license, and PCC 5.12.060 limits pawnbrokers to one per 35,000 unincorporated residents.
The number of licenses issued for pawnbrokers shall be limited to a number of establishments in the unincorporated areas of the County based on a ratio of one pawnbroker per 35,000 inhabitants of the unincorporated areas of the County. For this purpose, the population of the unincorporated areas of the County shall be that determined in the last preceding official United States Census of Pierce County.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-515, and legislation passed through May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
020 makes it unlawful to engage in the business of pawnbroking, deal in secondhand or antique property, or conduct a flea market in unincorporated Pierce County without first obtaining a county license, with an applicant operating multiple fixed locations required to license each one separately. 290 RCW. 040 requires the Sheriff to investigate the applicant and report a recommendation to the Auditor, while County Building and Fire officials inspect the premises for compliance with building, fire, health, sanitation, and zoning requirements. S. 070 requires the Auditor to award new licenses on a first-come, first-served basis rather than by lottery or competitive scoring. 005.
Violations & Fines
Operating as a pawnbroker in unincorporated Pierce County without the required license under PCC 5.12.020 is a licensing violation subject to the general enforcement, denial, suspension, and revocation procedures of Chapter 5.02 PCC, which governs all county business licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pawnshops can operate in unincorporated Pierce County?
Who reviews a pawnbroker license application in Pierce County?
How are new pawnbroker licenses awarded when a slot opens up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pierce County
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