Business Licensing & Operations in King County, WA (2026)

7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in King County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of King County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Adult Entertainment

Unincorporated King County requires a business, manager and entertainer license for every adult club, arcade or theater, and zoning bars them within 330 feet of homes, schools or parks and 3,000 feet of each other.

King County Adult Entertainment License & Spacing

Significant Restrictions

King County Code § 21A.08.040(B)(6)(a)

Adult entertainment businesses shall be prohibited within three hundred thirty feet of any property zoned RA, UR, or R or containing schools, licensed daycare centers, public parks or trails, community centers, public libraries, or religious facilities. In addition, adult entertainment businesses shall not be located closer than three thousand feet to any other adult entertainment business. T...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Massage Establishments

Unincorporated King County requires a separate license for every massage business, public bathhouse, and individual massage practitioner before any massage is performed.

King County Massage Business License

Some Restrictions

King County Code § 6.40.030

It is unlawful to conduct, operate or maintain a massage business or public bathhouse unless such establishment or premises is licensed as hereinafter provided. B. Massage practitioner. It is unlawful for any person to give a massage without a massage practitioner license. C. Exemptions. This chapter shall not apply to: 1. An individual giving massage in their home to members of their...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tobacco Retail License

Unincorporated King County requires any store selling cigarettes or other tobacco products, including vape and e-cigarette retailers, to hold a $210, three-year county tobacco license per location; there is no separate vape-shop permit.

King County Tobacco & Vape Shop Licensing

Some Restrictions

King County Code § 6.72.050

After February 1, 1989 it shall be unlawful for any retailer in unincorporated King County to sell cigarettes or any tobacco products unless that retailer first obtains and maintains a valid license from King County for each location where cigarette sales are conducted.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Secondhand Dealers

Anyone buying, selling or trading secondhand goods in unincorporated King County must hold a secondhand dealer's license under King County Code § 6.60.010. The $40-a-year license covers each shop location and comes with strict recordkeeping, a sheriff transcript duty, and a mandatory ten-day hold before resale.

King County Secondhand Dealer Licensing Rules

Some Restrictions

King County Code § 6.60.010

6.60.010 License required. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in the business of buying, selling, or trading in secondhand goods in King County without first obtaining a "secondhand dealer's license" pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (Res. 36054 § 1, 1968).

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Pawnbrokers

Unincorporated King County requires a $500 annual pawnbroker's license before anyone may operate a pawnshop, caps licenses at one per 15,000 residents, and closes shops between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

King County Pawnbroker License Required

Significant Restrictions

King County Code § 6.56.010

It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to engage in the business of pawnbroker, or to conduct a pawnshop without first obtaining a "pawnbroker's license" pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Unincorporated King County bans auto, truck, and heavy equipment repair or auto body work as a home occupation in the R, UR, NB, CB, and RB zones under County Code section 21A.30.080.

King County Bars Home Auto Repair

Significant Restrictions

King County Code § 21A.30.080(E)(1)-(2)

E. The following uses, by the nature of their operation or investment, tend to increase beyond the limits allowed for home occupations. Therefore, the following shall not be allowed as home occupations: 1. Automobile, truck, and heavy equipment repair; 2. Auto body work or painting; 3. Parking and storage of heavy equipment; 4. Storage of building materials for use on other pr...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Towing Companies

King County's sheriff contracts with licensed tow operators to handle vehicle and watercraft impounds, and those towing contractors must file their rates with the sheriff and keep three years of impound records.

King County Towing Contractor Rules

Some Restrictions

King County Code § 14A.60.120

Each towing contractor, in addition to fully complying with the standards set by the sheriff, must: A. File its towing and storage rates with the sheriff; B. For impoundments authorized under K.C.C. chapter 14A.60, maintain all vehicle and watercraft impound files for three years. (Ord. 18743 § 52, 2018). 14A.60.130 Liability for abandonment of vehicle or automobile hulk – relief upon c...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗