Berwyn, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Section 879A.01 of the Berwyn Code of Ordinances bars anyone from operating a pawn shop, or providing title loan, payday loan or cash or currency exchange services, without a business license, if more than 51% of the business's total annual revenue comes from those services or a combination of them. A store that earns most of its money elsewhere falls below the threshold.

Section 879A.02 caps the licenses issued at any one time: pawn shops 2, title loan services 2, payday loan services 2, and cash or currency exchange services 3. Once a category is at its maximum, existing license holders cannot expand their businesses by more than 10% or relocate. The City License Officer can also deny a license in that category when the number of existing licenses is over the limit.

Zoning adds a distance rule in § 1244.03(Z): in the C-2 District, a pawn shop may not be located within one mile of another pawn shop. The zoning definition of PAWN SHOP covers an establishment licensed, certified or accredited by the appropriate local and state agencies that lends money in exchange for personal property held as collateral. Pawn shops can buy personal property outright or on the condition of selling it back to a customer with interest, and can include cash for gold establishments. Retail goods establishments such as antique and consignment stores are excluded.

Section 879A.03 adds a theft-prevention rule: a licensed pawn shop cannot buy a catalytic converter from anyone other than a duly licensed automotive related business as defined in Chapter 809. Chapter 864 separately regulates buying precious metals and gems, including a record of each seller and a 30 day hold before resale.