Tumwater locksmith license
Yes. Tumwater requires an occupational permit to work as a locksmith in the city. Applications go to the Finance Department and the Police Department takes the fingerprints, permits run for the calendar year, and Tumwater honors locksmith permits from Lacey and Olympia. Working without one can be a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000.
Last checked October 13, 2026 · 16 quoted facts from official pages
Tumwater at a glance
- Local license
- Yes
- The law
- Tumwater Municipal Code Chapter 5.06 (Occupational Permits), O2011-018 (2011), amended O2016-004
- State rules
- Washington locksmith license rules
License types
Individual
Locksmith occupational permit
Required for any person acting as a locksmith in Tumwater (installing, removing, adjusting or repairing locking or security devices for hire on a customer's premises). Valid for the calendar year and renewed yearly. Tumwater honors current locksmith permits from Lacey and Olympia while their ordinances stay substantially the same.
Requirements
Only what the official pages state.
- Training or experience
- No training or experience requirement appears in TMC 5.06.
- Background check
- Applicants are fingerprinted by the Tumwater Police Department, which sends the prints to the Washington State Patrol, for state and nationwide background checks at the first application and every third year. An outstanding warrant is cause for denial, and a felony counts against an applicant by itself only if it was within the past ten years and directly relates to the work.
Fees
Fees change, so check with the office before you apply.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Locksmith occupational permit fee (set by City Council resolution; includes state and FBI background-check and fingerprinting charges) | Not stated |
Renewal
- Renewal
- Every year
Working without a license
A knowing violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail, each day a separate offense; a continuing violation becomes a gross misdemeanor (up to $5,000 and/or 364 days). Separately, each day is a civil infraction: $50 first offense, $125 second, $250 third, plus statutory assessments (TMC 5.06.300).
What the official sources say
Each line is a short quote from the official page it links to, with the date we read it.
Tumwater requires an occupational permit to act as a locksmith in the city (TMC 5.06.010(B)).
“It is unlawful for any person to act as a locksmith in the city without first obtaining an occupational permit”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Tumwater defines a locksmith as someone who, for hire, works on locking or security devices on a customer's premises (TMC 5.06.020(H)).
“engaged in the installation, removal, adjustment or repair of any locking or security device of any type used for doors, safes, windows”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Applications go to the Tumwater Finance Department (TMC 5.06.030(A)).
“Applications for an occupational permit shall be made to the finance department on forms provided by the city.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Applicants must consent to fingerprinting for a criminal background check (TMC 5.06.045(A)).
“All applicants for a permit under this chapter must consent to be fingerprinted for a criminal background check.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
The police department takes the fingerprints and WSP and the FBI run the checks (TMC 5.06.045(B)).
“The applicant shall be fingerprinted by the police department, which will forward the fingerprints to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) for processing.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Checks run at the first application and every third year (TMC 5.06.045(A)).
“a state and nationwide background check of each applicant at the time of initial application and every third year thereafter”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
An outstanding warrant is cause for denial (TMC 5.06.040(C)).
“The presence of any outstanding warrant for the applicant, regardless of jurisdiction or severity of offense, is cause for denial”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
A felony alone bars a permit only if within the past ten years and directly related to the occupation (TMC 5.06.040(D)).
“unless such conviction was within the past ten years and directly relates to the specific occupation, trade, vocation, or business”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Show 8 more facts
Permits are valid for the calendar year of issue and renew in one-year increments (TMC 5.06.050(B)).
“Occupational permits issued under this chapter are valid for the calendar year of issue only and may be renewed in consecutive one-year increments.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
The City Council sets the permit fee by resolution (TMC 5.06.050(C)).
“The city council shall set the fee for occupational permits by resolution.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Tumwater honors current locksmith permits issued by Lacey and Olympia (TMC 5.06.070).
“The city of Tumwater honors valid, current for-hire driver, locksmith, and solicitor permits issued by the cities of Lacey and Olympia”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
A knowing violation is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days (TMC 5.06.300(A)).
“shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000, and/or to imprisonment not to exceed ninety days”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
A continuing violation is a gross misdemeanor with a fine up to $5,000 and/or up to 364 days (TMC 5.06.300(A)).
“gross misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed three hundred and sixty-four days”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
The civil infraction for a first offense is $50 (TMC 5.06.300(B)(1)).
“First offense: Class 3 ($50.00), not including statutory assessments.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
A second offense on the same facts is $125 (TMC 5.06.300(B)(2)).
“Second offense arising out of the same facts as the first offense: Class 2 ($125.00), not including statutory assessments.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
A third offense on the same facts is $250 (TMC 5.06.300(B)(3)).
“Third offense arising out of the same facts as the first offense: Class 1 ($250.00), not including statutory assessments.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Tumwater locksmith license questions
Do locksmiths need a license in Tumwater?
Yes. Tumwater requires an occupational permit to work as a locksmith in the city. Applications go to the Finance Department and the Police Department takes the fingerprints, permits run for the calendar year, and Tumwater honors locksmith permits from Lacey and Olympia. Working without one can be a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000.
Who issues locksmith licenses in Tumwater?
Tumwater Finance Department, with fingerprinting by the Tumwater Police Department, under Tumwater Municipal Code Chapter 5.06 (Occupational Permits), O2011-018 (2011), amended O2016-004.
How often do you renew a Tumwater locksmith license?
Every year.
What happens if you work as a locksmith without a license in Tumwater?
A knowing violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail, each day a separate offense; a continuing violation becomes a gross misdemeanor (up to $5,000 and/or 364 days). 300).
This guide summarizes the official pages linked next to each fact. Rules and fees change, so check with the licensing agency before you apply or take work. This is not legal advice.
Last checked October 13, 2026.
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