Camarillo, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Chapter 5.24 defines a 'pawnbroker' as anyone who loans money on personal property pledged as security, or who buys articles with an agreement to resell them back to the seller at a price fixed at the time of purchase (Section 5.24.010). Section 5.24.020 makes it unlawful to engage in the pawnbroker business anywhere in Camarillo without first obtaining a permit from the director. The written application must disclose the applicant's name, residence, business address, all persons with an interest in the business, and fingerprints and thumbprints for identification (Section 5.24.030).

The director runs a state and local background check, and Section 5.24.040(C) mandates denial if the applicant has been convicted of Penal Code Section 485 (theft of lost property), 496 (receiving stolen goods), 487 (grand theft) or 495 (burglary). A pawnbroker permit stays valid only as long as the holder keeps a current business tax certificate (Section 5.24.050), and if revoked, no new permit may issue to that person for nine months (Section 5.24.060). Pawnbrokers operating at more than one Camarillo location must obtain a separate permit for each address (Section 5.24.080).

Every pawnbroker must deliver a full written report of the prior day's purchases to the Camarillo Police Department by 2:00 p.m. daily (Section 5.24.090), retain purchased goods unsold for seventy-two hours and keep metals segregated in a designated area during that period (Sections 5.24.130-.140), and may not transact pawnbroking business between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (Section 5.24.150). A legible street-visible sign identifying the business as a pawnshop must be posted at all times (Section 5.24.160).