Business Licensing & Operations in Olympia, WA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Olympia, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
In the City of Olympia, Washington, an adult oriented business needs a business license under OMC 5.02 plus the added licensing in Chapter 5.16, and its managers and entertainers need their own licenses. The initial application fee is $2,400.00 and the annual fee is $750.00. Separate Unified Development Code rules fix where these businesses can locate.
Olympia WA Adult Oriented Business License Rules
Significant RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 5.16.040
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in business in the City without first obtaining a license pursuant to the provisions of OMC 5.02. Any additional licensing or permitting requirements of this Chapter 5.16 shall also apply. A. It shall be a condition of the issuance or continuation of a business license that all requirements of this chapter be met. B. It is unlawful ...
Massage Establishments
In the City of Olympia, Washington, the owner, director, manager or other person in charge of a massage or reflexology business must make sure everyone practicing there holds a valid, current state license or certificate. Businesses cannot operate between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Chapter 5.26 backs this with criminal penalties, including mandatory minimums for repeat violations.
Olympia WA Massage and Reflexology Business Rules
Significant RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 5.26.060
A. It shall be the responsibility of any owner, director, manager, or other person in charge of a massage business or reflexology business in the city of Olympia to ensure that each person who practices massage, or represents himself or herself as a massage therapist, is validly and currently licensed, and to ensure that each person who practices reflexology or represents himself or herself as ...
Secondhand Dealers
In the City of Olympia, Washington, anyone who buys, sells, trades, barters or exchanges secondhand goods as a business needs an OMC 5.02 business license and must follow Chapter 5.60. Dealers send the chief of police a transcript of the prior day's transactions before noon each day, and a business whose used purchases are under twenty-five percent of its total business is exempt from the chapter.
Secondhand Dealer Licensing in Olympia, Washington
Significant RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code §§ 5.60.010, 5.60.015, 5.60.020, 5.60.100
“Secondhand dealer” means any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association that, within the City, shall solicit for or, as a business, engage in the purchase, sale, trade, barter or exchange of secondhand goods, wares or merchandise. ... It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in business in the City without first obtaining a license pursuant to the provisions of O...
Pawnbrokers
In the City of Olympia, Washington, a pawnbroker is any person engaged in the business of receiving property in pledge for loans, and Chapter 5.60 of the Olympia Municipal Code regulates the trade. Pawnbrokers hold a City business license, issue numbered pawn tickets, tag every pledge, report daily to the chief of police, and cannot sell pledged goods within ninety days after the redemption period expires.
Pawnbroker Rules in Olympia, Washington
Significant RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code §§ 5.60.010, 5.60.090, 5.60.110
A “pawnbroker” includes any person engaged in the business of receiving property in pledge for loans. ... Every pawnbroker shall issue numbered pawn tickets for all goods or property received by that pawnbroker as pledges for loans, which tickets shall be considered receipts for such goods or property. ... No pawnbroker shall sell any property held by that pawnbroker for redemption within ninet...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
In the City of Olympia, Washington, vehicle sales or repair is not permitted as a home occupation. The same list bars contractors' yards, restaurants, exterminating services and medical, dental and veterinary clinics from residential addresses, and no equipment or material can be stored on any exterior portion of the premises.
Olympia WA Home Auto Repair and Vehicle Sales Ban
Heavy RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.04.060(L)(2)(h)
h. The following types of uses are not permitted as home occupations: i. Veterinarian, medical, and dental offices and clinics; ii. Vehicle sales or repair; iii. Contractors’ yards; iv. Restaurants; v. Exterminating services; i. No stock in trade may be sold or displayed on the premises; provided, however, that this limitation does not apply to properties abutting the west side of the 300 and 4...
Towing Companies
In the City of Olympia, Washington, a towing operator needs an OMC 5.02 business license, and a tow company running a tow truck inside city limits also needs the current registration certificate required by RCW 46.55.020. Chapter 5.72 bans going to an accident scene uninvited, monitoring police calls and paying gratuities for vehicle locations, and ties license renewal to compliance.
Towing Company Licensing in Olympia, Washington
Some RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code §§ 5.72.010, 5.72.020, 5.72.090
For the purpose of this chapter a wrecker or towing operator hereinafter referred to as “operator” means any person who engages in the impounding, transporting or storage of unauthorized vehicles or the disposal of abandoned vehicles. ... It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in business in the City without first obtaining a license pursuant to the provisions of OMC 5.02....
Looking for Thurston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Olympia city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Thurston County →