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Monroe County, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Licensing authority
Monroe County Sheriff
Annual license fee
$150
License expires
December 31 each year
Lost license replacement
$10

Summary

Every pawnbroker operating in Monroe County must hold a Sheriff-issued dealer's license, renewed each December 31, with a $150 annual fee and a $10 fee to replace a lost license.

City-specific rules exist: Rochester has its own pawnbrokers rules that differ from Monroe County's county-level regulations. If you live in Rochester, check the city-specific page instead.

Every pawnbroker, secondhand dealer and jewelry and coin exchange dealer operating within Monroe County is required to be licensed according to this chapter. The Monroe County Sheriff shall be the licensing authority authorized to issue licenses for pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers and jewelry and coin exchange dealers.

B. Licenses shall expire annually on December 31 after date of issuance.

C. The annual license fee shall be $150. There shall be a fee of $10 for replacement of a lost license.

D. An application for a pawnbroker's, secondhand dealer's, or jewelry and coin exchange dealer's license (hereinafter "dealer’s license") shall be made by the owner (or operator, if different than the owner) on forms provided by and filed with the Monroe County Sheriff. The application shall include relevant information relative to the owner or operator, the business to be conducted at the premises, and the names and dates of birth of all employees, meeting the following requirements:

(1) If a secondhand dealer, pawnbroker, or jewelry and coin exchange dealer business, as defined above, employs over five people at a location, the employee names, dates of birth, and dates of employment shall be kept and made available for inspection by the Sheriff or his representatives for one year.

(2)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4802746; v60 updated 2026-02-10; through 02-10-2026).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 384 makes the Monroe County Sheriff the licensing authority for pawnbrokers (along with secondhand and jewelry/coin exchange dealers). Applicants file forms with the Sheriff covering the owner or operator, business location, and employee names and birthdates. Licenses are not transferable and must be renewed annually; a change of owner, operator, or location requires a brand-new license.

Violations & Fines

Operating unlicensed, or violating chapter conditions, is a misdemeanor under § 384-11: fines up to $200 (first offense), $1,000 (second), $3,000 (subsequent), plus civil penalties up to $600 and possible license suspension or revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who licenses pawnbrokers in Monroe County?
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office, under Chapter 384 of the County Code, issues and renews all pawnbroker dealer's licenses.
How much does a Monroe County pawnbroker license cost?
The annual fee is $150, plus $10 if a license must be replaced after being lost.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Monroe County

All Monroe County rules

New York rules heatmap·Compare Monroe County to another location·View the New York business licensing & operations overview

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