Clearwater, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual fee
- $420.70, Appendix A § 078.000
- Background check
- Required under Note B / § 29.27
- State/county condition
- Inspection or license, Note D
- Recommendation standard
- Criteria set in § 29.41
- Reapply bar after denial
- 1 year, § 29.41(3)
Summary
Operating a pawn shop in Clearwater requires a city business tax receipt costing $420.70 under Appendix A section 078.000, one of the highest fees on the schedule, because pawnbrokers fall under Note B: a mandatory police department background check of the owner.
078.000 PAWN BROKER (See note B and D) 420.70 ...B.Requires city police department recommendation. The applicant shall complete a background information report, executed under oath, and shall submit to a background investigation, photograph, and fingerprints. The recommendation shall be based upon the criteria set forth in section 29.41 and shall include a statement of the facts upon which the recommendation is based.D.Requires inspection, approval or license of state or county authority.
Full Breakdown
10 charged to most retail and service businesses, and flags it with Notes B and D. 41 of the Code and supported by a written statement of the facts behind it. Note D separately requires inspection, approval or license from a state or county authority, reflecting Florida's own pawnbroker licensing regime. 27 of the Code explains how that background check works citywide: the applicant can submit a state criminal background check completed by a state regulatory agency within six months of the business tax application in place of a city-run check, but the city can still order its own check if it questions the accuracy of what was submitted.
41 lets the director revoke or deny renewal of the pawnbroker's receipt for cause, including maintaining a nuisance, repeated Code violations on the premises, or a felony conviction involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude within three years of application.
Violations & Fines
Operating a pawn shop before the police-vetted business tax receipt issues draws the standard 25 percent penalty fee under Appendix A on top of civil penalties under section 1.12. A pawnbroker denied or revoked for cause under section 29.41, such as a disqualifying felony conviction or a maintained nuisance, cannot reapply for any Clearwater business tax receipt for one year from the denial or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a pawnbroker license cost in Clearwater?
What does the police background check involve?
Can the city deny or revoke a pawnbroker's business tax receipt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clearwater
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