Austin, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Statute
- TX Finance Code Ch. 371
- Regulator
- Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner
- Redemption minimum
- 30 days
- Asset minimum
- $25,000 net
- Reporting
- Daily LeadsOnline to APD
Summary
Texas Finance Code Chapter 371 licenses pawnbrokers through the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, capping fees, requiring 30-day minimum redemption, and mandating police transaction reports; Austin pawnshops also follow the secondhand-dealer reporting and zoning rules.
Pawnshops & Pawn Employees - Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. [...] Statutes & Rules - These are the primary statutes and rules that apply to pawnshops and pawn employees. This is not a complete list of laws that pawnshops and pawn employees are required to comply with. Primary State Statute: Chapter 371, Texas Finance Code: Pawnshops. OCCC's Rules: Title 7, Chapter 85, Texas Administrative Code. [...] Important Dates: June 01 - Renewal Opens for Pawn Shop & Pawn Employees. June 30 - Renewal Closes For Pawn Shop & Pawn Employees. Pawn Shop Licenses not renewed by midnight will Cancel. Pawn Employees who do not renew their license by midnight must reapply. July 1 - Pawn Shop reinstatement period opens. Pawn shop licenses not renewed by June 30 have 180 days after the cancellation date at midnight to reinstate their cancelled license(s). Annual Reports: Annual Report – due July 31.
Full Breakdown
Texas Finance Code Chapter 371 licenses every Austin pawnshop through the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. Operators must hold a $25,000 net-asset minimum, post a surety bond, and pass background checks. Loan terms are statutorily defined: maximum service charge of about 240 percent annualized for small loans, a 30-day minimum redemption, and a 60-day grace period before forfeiture. Pawnbrokers must report every transaction to APD via LeadsOnline daily and hold pledged items for the statutory period before resale. Austin Code zoning treats pawnshops as commercial use, with separation from schools and other pawnshops in some districts. The OCCC examines licensees roughly every two years and handles consumer complaints.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a Texas pawnbroker license, exceeding fee caps, or selling pledged items before redemption closes draws OCCC fines up to $1,000 per day, license revocation, and class A misdemeanor charges if combined with stolen-goods possession.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can an Austin pawnshop charge in fees?
When can a pawnshop sell unredeemed items?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Austin
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