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

3 rules for unincorporated Skagit County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

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

Adult Entertainment

In unincorporated Skagit County, adult entertainment is allowed only in the Bayview Ridge Heavy Industrial (BR-HI) zone, and only as a Hearing Examiner special use under SCC 14.15.400(2)(d)(i). It is the single zone in the county's Unified Development Code where adult entertainment appears as an allowed land use, and operators must secure a Hearing Examiner special use permit under SCC Chapter 14.51 before opening.

Adult Entertainment Special Use in Skagit County

Significant Restrictions

Skagit County Code § 14.15.400(2)(d)(i)

(2) Allowed Uses. In addition to the uses in SCC 14.15.020, the following uses are allowed in this zone: ... (d) Hearing Examiner Special Uses. ... (i) Adult entertainment.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Skagit County bars a Home-Based Business 1 or 2 from installing heavy equipment, large power tools or power sources not common to a residential dwelling, under SCC 14.18.252(3)(d) and (4)(d), which rules out a lift, air compressor bank or industrial welding setup typical of an auto-repair shop. A repair operation needing that equipment must locate in a commercial or industrial zone instead.

Home Auto Repair Limits in Skagit County

Significant Restrictions

Skagit County Code § 14.18.252(3)(d), (4)(d)

(3) Home-Based Business 1. The use must meet the following criteria: ... (d) Does not require the installation of heavy equipment, large power tools or power sources not common to a residential dwelling; ... (4) Home-Based Business 2. The use must meet the following criteria: ... (d) Does not require the installation of heavy equipment, large power tools or power sources not common ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Towing Companies

When the Skagit County Sheriff orders a vehicle towed for likely disposal as abandoned, SCC 10.20.030 requires using a tow truck operator currently appointed by the state Director of Motor Vehicles to dispose of abandoned vehicles and automobile hulks. Only if no appointed operator is available may the Sheriff engage another towing service for the removal.

Skagit County Sheriff-Appointed Tow Operators

Some Restrictions

Skagit County Code § 10.20.030

When ordering the towing or removing of a vehicle or automobile hulk that appears likely to be disposable pursuant to R.C.W. 46.52.111 and R.C.W. 46.52.112, the Sheriff shall engage the services of a tow truck operator that is currently appointed by the Director of Motor Vehicles to dispose of abandoned vehicles and automobile hulks. ... If no tow truck operator so appointed by the Director of ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Skagit County ordinances

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