Business Licensing & Operations in Federal Way, WA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Federal Way, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Federal Way requires separate city clerk licenses for adult entertainment establishments and for every manager or entertainer, caps hours to 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., and enforces a four-foot distance rule between performers and patrons.
Federal Way Adult Entertainment License Rules
Significant RestrictionsFWRC 12.10.050, 12.10.150, 12.10.160, 12.10.220
Adult entertainment establishments shall not be operated or maintained in the city unless the owner or operator has first obtained a license from the city clerk, as set forth in this chapter... The fee for an adult entertainment establishment license in the city as required in this article is $500.00 per year. ... No person shall work as a manager, assistant manager, or entertainer at an adult ...
Massage Establishments
Federal Way requires every massage therapist to hold a valid state license, bans internal warning systems and cash-only transactions, and closes massage businesses between 10:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m., all enforced as gross misdemeanors.
Federal Way Massage Business License Rules
Significant RestrictionsFWRC 12.65.040, 12.65.070, 12.65.080
It is unlawful for any person to practice as a massage therapist without possessing a valid and unexpired Washington State massage therapist license issued to the massage therapist. A violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor. ... A massage business is prohibited from operating between 10:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. ... it shall be the responsibility of any owner, director, manager, or other p...
Secondhand Dealers
Federal Way requires secondhand dealers, including precious metal buyers and part-time sellers at flea markets or hotels, to hold a city clerk license, hold purchased goods 30 days, and report suspected stolen property to police.
Federal Way Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Significant RestrictionsFWRC 12.15.010, 12.15.290
No secondhand dealer or secondhand precious metal dealer shall sell or dispose of any article received or purchased or permit them to be removed from his or her place of business within 30 days after the receipt of such goods has been reported to the law enforcement authority for the city as provided herein, except when the goods have been inspected by the law enforcement authority for the city...
Pawnbrokers
Federal Way requires a city clerk license before anyone runs a pawnshop, caps the number of pawnbroker licenses at one per 15,000 residents, and enforces set business hours plus record and background-check duties.
Federal Way Pawnbroker License Rules
Significant RestrictionsFWRC 12.15.140, 12.15.210, 12.15.300
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 May 1, 1990. ... It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business ...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Federal Way's home occupation rule blocks home-based auto repair from using heavy equipment or power tools not common to a residential use, and bars deliveries by commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds GVWR. FWRC 19.270.030(1)(d)-(e) effectively rules out shop-scale auto repair work from a residential garage.
Federal Way Home Auto Repair Limits
Significant RestrictionsFWRC 19.270.030(1)(d), (e)
19.270.030 Home occupation. (1) A home occupation is permitted if it meets all of the following requirements: (d) The use must not involve those heavy equipment, power tools, or power sources which are not common to a residential use. (e) The use must not involve any pickups or deliveries by commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) as defined in RCW 46.25.010. (...
Towing Companies
Federal Way's police department contracts with one or more registered tow truck operators under FWRC 8.15.090 to handle vehicle impounds, and any operator must hold a city business license and be registered with the state under Chapter 46.55 RCW. Vehicle owners pay a $100.00 administrative fee under FWRC 8.15.080 to redeem an impounded vehicle.
Federal Way Tow Truck Operator Rules
Some RestrictionsFWRC 8.15.090
The mayor is authorized to seek a towing company or companies for one or more contracts to be a city registered tow truck operator to perform towing and impounds pursuant to this title. Award of any such contract or contracts shall be consistent with the city's adopted purchasing policies and applicable state and local laws and policies, and be approved by the mayor or the city council, as appl...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Federal Way city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in King County →