Brookhaven, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Article V of Chapter 15 (Secs. 15-186 to 15-196) regulates pawnshops, and the police department is responsible for enforcing it (Sec. 15-188). Under Sec. 15-189, anyone beginning a pawnshop business, or becoming an employee of one, must file an application with the police department and obtain an annual permit. The application states the street and number of the proposed business and gives the full name, address, phone number, date of birth and social security number of every person owning an interest, plus any additional information, including fingerprints, the police department considers necessary. The requirements are in addition to those of Article II of the chapter, and the fee is the amount established by the city council, on file with the clerk.

Employees are covered separately. Sec. 15-190 bars employment in any capacity until the person has been fingerprinted by the police department and issued an annual permit, and the pawnbroker must assure compliance. Sec. 15-191 disqualifies any owner, stockholder, employee or pawnbroker convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or any crime involving theft or a crime against property.

Operating rules are specific. Sec. 15-194 lets a pawnbroker keep the shop open only between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Sec. 15-192 requires entries in the pawnbroker's books within one hour of the transaction, a photograph of the person pawning with the pawn ticket showing a transaction number, and the right index fingerprint. Sec. 15-193 requires a typewritten daily report to the police department covering property pledged, traded or bought during the 24 hours ending at 9:00 p.m. Sec. 15-195 requires goods to be held at least 30 days before sale, transfer or shipment, and Sec. 15-196 makes it unlawful to receive goods in pawn from minors.