Cherokee County, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Sec. A. Title 44, Chapter 12, Article 3, Part 5, cited in Sec. 38-31(b). Sec. 38-35 requires applicants to be at least 21 and disclose the business location, officers, partners, or LLC members under oath, and applicants may appeal a denial in writing within 30 days. Sec. 38-36 requires an annual criminal background check through the state crime information center for the applicant and employees. Sec. citizen, and Sec. 38-38 bars anyone convicted of a felony, including burglary or theft by receiving stolen property, unless their civil rights have been restored.

Under Sec. 38-43, the board of commissioners sets the original and annual renewal fee, permits run for the calendar year beginning January 1 with no proration, and Sec. 38-48 requires renewal and fee payment by February 15 each year. Sec. 38-44 limits each permit to a single location, and Sec. 38-49 requires pawnbrokers to log a description, source, and date of every pledged or purchased item and make those books available for law enforcement inspection at all times. Sec. 38-53 bars pawnbrokers from taking goods from anyone 17 or younger, and Sec. 38-52 requires a 40-day hold (30-day maturity plus a 10-day grace period) before disposing of unredeemed pledged goods. Sec. § 44-12-132 still applies.