Kennewick, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Pawnbroker and secondhand-dealer regulation in Washington is comprehensively codified in RCW Chapter 19.60 (Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers), and Kennewick has not adopted a separate city ordinance layering additional licensing requirements. Six core duties apply to every pawnbroker or secondhand dealer doing business inside Kennewick. First, RCW 19.60.020 requires that a pawnbroker hold a city license issued under the city's general business-licensing authority, with a maximum fee set by statute. Second, RCW 19.60.030 requires the dealer to maintain a daily record of every pledge or purchase that includes a description of the property, the amount loaned or paid, the date, the name and signature of the pledgor/seller, and a clear identification of the seller using government-issued photo identification (RCW 19.60.040). Third, RCW 19.60.030 requires transmission of the daily transaction record to the chief of police or sheriff (or to a designated electronic reporting system such as LeadsOnline or RAPID) by the close of the following business day. Fourth, RCW 19.60.060 imposes a 30-day holding period during which pawned property may not be disposed of, melted, or altered, allowing law enforcement an opportunity to identify stolen property. Fifth, RCW 19.60.066 governs the redemption of pawned property by the original owner, including notice requirements before forfeiture and sale. Sixth, RCW 19.60.061 requires the dealer to suspend disposition of property subject to a law-enforcement hold notice. Definitions in RCW 19.60.010 distinguish 'pawnbroker', 'secondhand dealer', and exempt categories (consignment of personal property by the owner, charity-shop resale, antique-dealer transactions involving items over 30 years old in some circumstances). The minimum buying age is 18 under RCW 19.60.020. Precious-metal dealers face additional duties under RCW 19.60.067 including a longer holding period.