Business Licensing & Operations in Burien, WA (2026)
4 verified business licensing & operations rules for Burien, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
In the City of Burien, Washington, Chapter 5.65 BMC makes it unlawful to run an adult cabaret, or to work in one as a manager or entertainer, without a city license. Fees are $500.00 per year for the cabaret and $100.00 per year each for manager and entertainer licenses, and a Chapter 5.05 business license can also be required.
Burien Adult Cabaret Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsBurien Municipal Code §§ 5.65.040, 5.65.070
(1) It is unlawful for any person to conduct, manage or operate an adult cabaret unless such person is the holder of a valid and subsisting license from the city to do so, obtained in the manner provided in this chapter. ... (3) It is unlawful for any entertainer to perform in an adult cabaret unless such person is the holder of a valid and subsisting license from the city to do so. (4) It is u...
Tattoo & Body Modification
In the City of Burien, Washington, BMC 9.70.300 makes it a misdemeanor to apply a tattoo to any minor under the age of 18. Not knowing the age is no defense unless the tattooist proves a reasonable, bona fide attempt to check a driver's license or other picture identification. Medical procedures by a licensed physician are exempt.
Burien Tattoo Law: No Tattooing Anyone Under 18
Significant RestrictionsBurien Municipal Code § 9.70.300
Every person who applies a tattoo to any minor under the age of 18 is guilty of a misdemeanor. It is not a defense to a violation of this section that the person applying the tattoo did not know the minor’s age unless the person applying the tattoo establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that he or she made a reasonable, bona fide attempt to ascertain the true age of the minor by requiri...
Pawnbrokers
In the City of Burien, Washington, BMC 5.10.070 caps pawnbroker licenses at no more than one for every 15,000 of population under the last federal census, and bars a pawnbroker from selling an item within 30 days after it is reported to the Burien police department. Every pawnbroker also needs the special activity license required by BMC 5.10.030.
Burien Pawnbroker License Cap and Hold Rules
Significant RestrictionsBurien Municipal Code § 5.10.070
(1) Limitation on Licensing. No pawnbroker’s license shall be issued which would increase the number of holders of such licenses to more than one for every 15,000 of population, according to the last preceding federal census; provided, that this population limitation shall not operate to prohibit the licensing of any pawnbroker duly licensed prior to the enactment of this chapter, if such pawnb...
Towing Companies
In the City of Burien, Washington, BMC §§ 10.12.100 and 10.12.110 govern towing contractors who handle police-ordered impounds. The King County sheriff's office and the city manager run the contracts at no cost to the city or county, operators recover charges only from the person redeeming the vehicle or from auction proceeds, and each contractor must file its rates and keep transaction files for three years.
Towing Contractor Rules in Burien, Washington
Some RestrictionsBurien Municipal Code §§ 10.12.100, 10.12.110
The King County sheriff’s office and the city manager and/or designees are authorized and directed to enter into appropriate agreements and to promulgate rules and regulations to provide for the fair and efficient administration of any contract(s) awarded to registered tow truck operators pursuant to this chapter. Such contracts shall be at no cost to the county and the city and shall provide t...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Burien city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in King County →