Compton, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum holding period
- 24 hours before resale
- Buy-Form deadline
- Within 3 hours of closing
- Business hours
- Closed 7 p.m.-8 a.m. weekdays
- Minor sales
- Prohibited under age 18
- Police hold order
- Up to 90 days
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine / 6 months
Summary
Compton requires every pawnbroker to obtain a City Council-approved license before opening under § 9-19.2, fingerprint everyone dealing with the public, and follow the pawnbroker-specific rules in § 9-19.18: notify the Chief of Police of any change in ownership or location, hold all purchased goods 24 hours before resale, and use only Police-approved storage.
The following rules and regulations shall govern pawnbrokers:
a. Rules Listed.
1. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to notify the Chief of Police in writing immediately of any change of management, ownership, or business location.
2. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to familiarize himself and his employees and agents with all the laws, whether state or local, relating to the pawn broker business.
3. No storage facilities, other than those approved by the Chief of Police, shall be maintained.
4. All goods or personal property purchased shall be held 24 hours from the time of such purchase in the same condition as when received.
5. A copy of these Rules and Regulations shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises.
Full Breakdown
2). 18 imposes five specific duties: notify the Chief of Police in writing immediately of any change in management, ownership or business location; ensure the licensee and every employee know the state and local pawnbroking laws; use no storage facility the Chief of Police has not approved; hold every item purchased for 24 hours in the condition received before reselling it; and post a copy of these rules where customers can see them. 7 require a completed 'Buy-Form' for each day's transactions, delivered to the Chief of Police within three hours of closing, recording the seller's driver's license or other positive identification and a fingerprint of the seller's right index finger; the licensee must keep a duplicate for at least two years.
14 bars buying, trading or pledging goods from anyone under 18. 20 lets the Chief of Police place a hold order on any acquired property for up to 90 days. m. m. m. m. 3 lets the City Council revoke a license for false statements, a felony or moral-turpitude conviction, fraud, dishonest advertising, or conduct contrary to public peace and welfare.
Violations & Fines
Failing to file the required Buy-Form, dealing with a minor, using unapproved storage or violating the hours restriction is punishable under the City's general penalty clause, § 1-6.2, by a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of violation a separate offense under § 1-6.4. The City Council may separately revoke the pawnbroker's license under § 9-19.3 for the same conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Compton
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