Business Licensing & Operations in Auburn, WA (2026)
4 verified business licensing & operations rules for Auburn, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Auburn requires a $500-a-year establishment license and $50-a-year manager's license for adult entertainment businesses under ACC 5.30, and bans sexually oriented businesses within 1,000 feet of homes, schools, daycares, churches, parks and each other under ACC 18.74.030.
Auburn Adult Entertainment Licensing
Significant RestrictionsACC 18.74.030
A. Sexually oriented business uses are prohibited: 1. Within 1,000 feet of any property zoned for any residential use or of any property used for any single-family or multiple-family residential use... 2. Within 1,000 feet of any public or private elementary or secondary school; 3. Within 1,000 feet of any child daycare center, child care service, nursery, preschool or community youth center; 4...
Massage Establishments
Auburn requires a regulatory license for every massage business, health salon and public bathhouse under ACC 5.20.170. The building department, city health officer and police chief must inspect and sign off before a license issues, employees must be at least 18, and the code flatly bans any genital contact during treatment.
Auburn Massage Business Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsACC 5.20.170
C. License Regulations. 1. Licenses – Prerequisite to Advertisement. It is unlawful to advertise the giving of any treatment or service as defined in this chapter by any person or in an establishment not licensed or otherwise qualified pursuant to the terms of this chapter. ... 6. Employees. It is unlawful for the owner, proprietor, manager or person in charge of any facility required to be lic...
Pawnbrokers
Auburn pawnbrokers must be fingerprinted, keep a written transaction ledger, and report every transaction to the police chief before noon the next day under ACC 5.20.210. Pledged property must stay on-site for four days after that report, and the police chief maintains a mandatory do-not-buy list.
Auburn Pawnbroker Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsACC 5.20.210
B. License Application – Qualifications – Requirements to Apply – Applicant Fingerprints Accompanying. Each application for a pawnbroker's or a secondhand dealer's license shall be accompanied by a complete set of fingerprints of the applicant, utilizing fingerprint forms as prescribed by the chief of police. ... E. Daily Report to Police. Every pawnbroker and secondhand dealer doing business i...
Towing Companies
Auburn tow truck operators must run 24/7, reach a collision scene within 5 minutes by day or 10 by night, and get there within 20 minutes, under ACC 5.20.240. Licensees need at least three qualifying trucks and a storage yard meeting Washington's RTTO standards within five miles of the city.
Auburn Tow Truck Business Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsACC 5.20.240
d. Be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ... p. Be en route to the vehicle collision or incident within five minutes between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. or within 10 minutes at any other time, and be able to arrive at the scene within 20 minutes of the request; q. Maintain at least three tow trucks of a type satisfying the requirements of this chapter; r. Must comply with th...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Auburn city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in King County →