San Bernardino County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $35.00 per application
- Issuing agency
- Sheriff's Department
- Coverage
- Unincorporated area only
- Citation
- County Code § 16.0226(w)(2)
Summary
The Sheriff's Department charges $35.00 to process a State pawnbroker permit for anyone opening a pawnshop in unincorporated San Bernardino County, per County Code § 16.0226(w)(2).
(w) Business licensing:
(1) Gun dealer permit: $69.00.
(2) State pawnbroker permit: $35.00.
(3) State secondhand dealer permit: $35.00.
Full Breakdown
Anyone opening a pawnshop in unincorporated San Bernardino County must obtain a State pawnbroker permit, and the Sheriff's Department, which administers the permit for the unincorporated area, lists it under 'Business licensing' in its fee schedule at County Code § 16.0226(w)(2). The county charges $35.00 to process the pawnbroker permit application, the same $35.00 charged for a state secondhand dealer permit and separate from the $69.00 gun dealer permit fee in the same subsection. The fee applies only outside the county's 24 incorporated cities, San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Victorville and the rest, which issue their own pawnbroker licenses.
Violations & Fines
Operating a pawnshop in the unincorporated county without the Sheriff's Department permit exposes the owner to code enforcement action, citation, or criminal prosecution under the County Code's general enforcement chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to open a pawnshop in unincorporated San Bernardino County?
Does this fee apply inside cities like San Bernardino or Fontana?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
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