Business Licensing & Operations in Lynnwood, WA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Lynnwood, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Lynnwood requires a separate adult entertainment premises license before any adult entertainment business can operate, plus individual licenses for managers and entertainers. Licensed premises must close between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and violations carry gross misdemeanor charges with fines up to $5,000.
Lynnwood Adult Entertainment License Rules
Significant RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code §§ 5.50.030, 5.50.130, 5.50.190
It is unlawful for any person to operate or maintain an adult entertainment premises in Lynnwood unless the owner, operator or lessee thereof has obtained from the director or the director’s designee a license to do so, to be designated an “adult entertainment premises license.” ... It is unlawful for any business or operation licensed as an adult entertainment premises to remain open to the pu...
Massage Establishments
Lynnwood requires anyone practicing massage in the city to hold a business license and to give massages only on a licensed business premises or an exempt location. Practitioners must also prove they hold a valid Washington state massage license before the city will issue a business license.
Lynnwood Massage Practitioner Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code §§ 5.53.020, 5.53.055, 5.53.060
It shall be unlawful for any person to practice massage unless: A. The massage is given on the licensee’s business premises or on premises which are exempt from the provisions of this chapter. ... It shall be unlawful for any massage practitioner to engage in business in the city of Lynnwood (“Lynnwood”) without securing and holding a valid business license issued by the business license clerk ...
Secondhand Dealers
Lynnwood, Washington requires anyone buying, selling or trading secondhand jewelry, electronics, firearms or other serial-numbered goods to hold a secondhand dealer's license under LMC 5.82.020, at $372 a year, plus a $1,000 bond. Every employee who handles transactions needs a separate $74 employee license, and the business cannot deal between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Lynnwood Secondhand Dealer Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code § 5.82.020
It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of secondhand dealer, as defined in LMC 5.82.010, without first procuring a license to do so, to be known as a secondhand dealer's license. The fee for such secondhand dealer's license shall be fixed in the sum shown in Chapter 3.104 LMC. Any specific licenses required under this chapter are separate from the business license required unde...
Pawnbrokers
Anyone operating a pawnshop in Lynnwood, Washington must hold a city pawnbroker's license under LMC 5.16.020 before loaning money against pledged goods or buying and selling secondhand property. The license runs $374 a year, requires a $1,000 bond, and every employee who handles transactions needs a separate license cleared through a police background check.
Lynnwood Pawnbroker License Requirements
Significant RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code § 5.16.020
A. It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of pawnbroker, as defined in LMC 5.16.010(C), without first procuring a license to do so, to be known as a "pawnbroker's license." The licenses required under this chapter are separate from the licenses required under Chapter 5.06 LMC. B. Any person having more than one pawnshop in the city shall be required to procure a separate licens...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Lynnwood bans running an automotive repair or detailing business out of a home under Lynnwood Municipal Code § 8.35.0310(A)(7)(a); it is one of the uses the home occupation rule flatly prohibits. Homeowners can still maintain or repair their own vehicles on residential property, but only between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and only if the work stays safe, tidy and nuisance-free.
Lynnwood Home Auto Repair Rules
Significant RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code § 8.35.0310(A)(7)(a), (B)
7. The following uses are specifically prohibited as home occupations: a. Automotive repairs or detailing; ... B. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. 1. Vehicle maintenance and repair on residential property must conform to the following standards: a. Any repair, painting, or maintenance work done on such vehicles is not to create an unsafe or unsightly condition or become a nuisance to residents o...
Towing Companies
Lynnwood dispatches police-ordered tows only to companies holding a city clerk letter of appointment, not a business license, under LMC Chapter 10.21. Appointed operators must reach the scene within 20 minutes for Class A/B trucks and 30 minutes for Class C trucks, post approved rates, carry $1,000,000 liability and $100,000 cargo insurance, and store vehicles within one mile of city limits.
Lynnwood Nonconsensual Tow Truck Rules
Some RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code §§ 10.21.005, 10.21.050(E), 10.21.110(A), 10.21.130
This chapter governs the contracting for towing services by the city of Lynnwood for the purpose of towing abandoned, damaged or disabled vehicles or to otherwise impound vehicles as authorized by city ordinance, which are considered nonconsensual tows. This chapter doses not regulate the price, route or service of private consensual tows. ... Except as otherwise provided herein, a letter of ap...
Looking for Snohomish County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lynnwood city rules.
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