Apple Valley, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Section 117.01 defines a pawnbroker as a person who loans money on deposit or pledge of personal property, deals in purchasing property on condition of selling it back at a stipulated price, or loans money secured by chattel mortgage. Banks, savings associations, credit unions and lenders licensed by the Department of Commerce are excluded. A precious metal dealer buys precious metals, gem stones or secondhand items containing them, and precious metals means any item containing more than 1% by weight of silver, gold, platinum or palladium.

Applications go to the City Clerk and are signed and sworn. They cover the applicant's residence, employers and business history for the preceding five years, convictions, the legal description and a plot plan of the premises, tax status, other licenses held, and three residents of Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Washington or Scott Counties as character references who are not related to the applicant. An applicant who has not lived in the city for three years also supplies at least four character references from Minnesota residents. The applicant authorizes the Apple Valley Police Department to run a personal background and criminal record check, and the Council then grants or denies. Under § 117.06(C)(5) no more than two pawnbroker licenses can be issued at any time, with priority to renewal applicants. A license is personal and tied to one premises, and a change in ownership terminates it.

Licenses are issued for a maximum of one year and expire December 31. Renewal applications are due at least 90 days before expiration, and the city mails forms approximately 120 days beforehand. The annual fee and an investigation fee deposit are set in the Chapter 35 Appendix, and an investigation outside the seven-county Twin City Metropolitan Area is charged at actual cost. Licensees also pay a monthly record transaction fee and a daily reporting failure fee when the Automated Pawn System cannot be used. The $10,000 bond is approved as to form by the City Attorney. Ineligible applicants include anyone under 18, anyone not a United States citizen or resident alien, holders of an intoxicating liquor license, and premises with unpaid taxes or assessments.