A pawnbroker is a person regularly engaged in the business of making contracts for purchase or purchase transactions in the course of business.

A contract for purchase, commonly known as a "pawn" transaction, is a contract entered into between a pawnbroker and a customer pursuant to which money is paid to the customer by the pawnbroker on the delivery of tangible personal property by the customer to the pawnbroker, on the condition that the customer, for a fixed price and within a fixed period of time, to be no less than thirty (30) days, has the option to cancel the contract.

A purchase transaction is the purchase by a pawnbroker in the regular course of business of tangible personal property for resale, other than newly manufactured tangible personal property which has not previously been sold at retail, when the purchase does not constitute a "contract for purchase", as defined herein.

City Code

Fees and Payment

  • Annual license fee: $110
  • Late renewal fee: $55
  • Initial background check for each Principal/Managing Agent: $7
  • Duplicate license fee: $5

Pawnbroker Licenses are valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance or renewal. 

The City Clerk's Office accepts cash, check, money order, Visa and MasterCard.

Required Documents

Online Application Portal

The City Clerk’s office is pleased to offer you access to our licensing services online.  By creating an account, you will be able to view, apply and submit a Pawnbroker application.  You will also be able to check the status of pending request, access payment information, and much more. 

Use Online Portal