Business Licensing & Operations in Franklin County, WA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Franklin County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Franklin County confines sexually oriented businesses to the Industrial (I-1) zone and keeps them at least 1,320 feet from churches, schools, day cares, parks and residential areas, 750 feet from any other sexually oriented business, and licensed under Chapter 5.16 by the county planner for a $500 fee.
Sexually Oriented Business Zoning in Franklin County
Significant RestrictionsFranklin County Code § 5.16.120
A.A person commits an offense if that person operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business in any zoning district other than the Industrial (I-1) zone described in the Franklin County Ordinance 2-99.B.A person commits an offense if the person operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business within one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) feet of:1.A church; or2.A...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Franklin County's zoning code defines a tattoo parlor as an enclosed building for tattooing customers, then bars them from the C-1, B-P, O and C-R commercial zones and every residential zone in the unincorporated county. Tattoo shops may open only in zones the restriction doesn't name, such as C-2, C-3, I-2 and I-3.
Tattoo Parlor Zoning Limits in Franklin County
Significant RestrictionsFranklin County Code §§ 17.06.900, 17.66.240
"Tattoo parlor" means an enclosed building used for the business of tattooing a customer's body. ... Tattoo parlors, as defined, are prohibited from operating in the C-1 (retail business district), the B-P (business park district) zone, the "O" (office district) zone, the C-R (regional commercial) zone, and any residential zone.
Secondhand Dealers
Pawn brokers and secondhand dealers in unincorporated Franklin County must register annually with the Planning and Building Department for $150, plus square footage charges. Zoning confines them to the C-3 general business and I-2 general industrial zones only, with a 1,000-foot buffer between existing dealers.
Secondhand Dealer Rules in Unincorporated Franklin County
Significant RestrictionsFranklin County Code §§ 5.04.110(C)(23), 17.66.170
23.Pawn Brokers and Second-Hand Dealers. The registration fee for each pawn broker and second hand dealer shall be one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) plus a square footage charge beyond the three thousand (3,000) square foot minimum allowed as part of the basic registration fee. Pawn brokers and second hand dealers must meet all other county and state laws as part of this application process. ...
Pawnbrokers
Pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers in unincorporated Franklin County must register as a business and pay a $150 annual fee under Franklin County Code § 5.04.110(C)(23), and they may only operate in the C-3 general business and I-2 general industrial zones, with new shops barred within 1,000 feet of an existing pawn shop or secondhand dealer under § 17.66.170.
Franklin County Pawnbroker License and Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsFranklin County Code §§ 5.04.110(C)(23), 17.66.170
Pawn shop and secondhand dealers as defined are prohibited from operating in zones in the C-2 (rural service commercial), the C-1 (retail business district), the B-P (business park district) zone, "O" (office district) zone, C-R (regional commercial) zone and any residential zone. Pawn shops and secondhand dealers are permitted to operate in the C-3 (general business district) zone and the I-2 ...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
In unincorporated Franklin County, you can service, repair or restore a vehicle at home in any residential zone, but only one vehicle at a time, only your own or family's registered vehicle, no painting, and only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Franklin County Home Vehicle Repair Rules
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Code § 17.66.260(C)
C.Vehicle Repair on Private Property on Residential Premises. Servicing, repairing, assembling, modifying, restoring, or otherwise working on any vehicle on any residential premises in any residential zoning district shall be subject to the following:1.Work shall be limited to the repair and maintenance of vehicles, equipment, or other conveyance (painting is not permitted) and is currently reg...
Towing Companies
Franklin County only allows towing operators appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, or by the TRAC general manager for TRAC lots, to remove illegally parked vehicles. Franklin County Code § 10.12.140 requires that appointment, and every tow must be performed by an operator registered under Chapter 46.55 RCW.
Franklin County Registered Tow Operator Appointment
Significant RestrictionsFranklin County Code § 10.12.140
Franklin County, in exercising its authority to impound vehicles illegally parked pursuant to this chapter, may remove vehicles through towing operators appointed by the board of county commissioners or the general manager of TRAC. The latter shall only have such authority with respect to illegally parked vehicles at the TRAC parking areas.
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