Business Licensing & Operations in Kennewick, WA (2026)
2 verified business licensing & operations rules for Kennewick, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tobacco Retail License
Tobacco and vapor-product retailing in Kennewick is governed by Washington state law, not by a city-specific tobacco retail license. RCW Chapter 70.155 (Tobacco - Access to Minors) and RCW 70.345 (Vapor Products) set the statewide age threshold at 21 years (effective January 1, 2020, by SHB 1074, conforming with federal Tobacco 21) and require every retailer to hold a state-issued tobacco retailer's license through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service. Kennewick has not codified a parallel local tobacco retail license.
Statewide Tobacco 21 (RCW 70.155) and DOR Tobacco/Vapor Retailer License; No Kennewick-Specific License
Heavy RestrictionsSecondhand Dealers
Pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers operating in Kennewick are regulated by the Washington Pawnbroker Act, codified at RCW Chapter 19.60. The Act requires daily reporting of all secondhand purchases and pledges to a law-enforcement-accessible system, photo identification of every seller, a holding period before resale (typically 30 days for pawned items), and recordkeeping. Kennewick has not codified a separate local secondhand-dealer ordinance; the city relies on the statewide framework, with daily transaction reports filed through Kennewick Police's chosen reporting system.
Washington Pawnbroker Act (RCW Chapter 19.60) Governs Secondhand Dealers in Kennewick
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Benton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kennewick city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Benton County →