Pawnbrokers in Atlanta must hold both a state license under OCGA §44-12-130 and a city permit, and must report daily transactions to APD via the LeadsOnline system to support stolen-property recovery.
Atlanta pawnshops operate under a layered framework: Georgia OCGA §44-12-130 sets statewide pawnbroker rules including 30-day redemption periods and maximum monthly interest rates of 25 percent for the first 90 days. Atlanta City Code Chapter 30 requires a separate pawnbroker permit issued by the Police Department. Every pawn transaction must be uploaded daily to APD's electronic reporting system (LeadsOnline) including seller ID, item description, and serial numbers. Items must be held a minimum 15 days before resale. APD detectives review records to recover stolen goods. Operators undergo annual background checks and cannot have certain felony convictions.
Failure to report transactions, holding items less than 15 days, or operating without a permit can result in fines up to $1,000, license revocation, and felony charges if stolen property is knowingly received.
See how Atlanta's pawnbrokers rules stack up against other locations.
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