Kootenai County, ID Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Kootenai County Code 3-3-3 makes it unlawful to act as a pawnbroker, as defined in 3-3-2, without a valid county license in full force and effect. No license issues to an applicant, or any agent with a financial interest, who has been convicted of a felony or whose license under this chapter was revoked within the past five years. Applications go to the county clerk, who refers them to the sheriff for an investigation of the applicant and every agent before reporting back whether the applicant qualifies; a license is good for one year and cannot be transferred between owners or moved to a new location without the clerk's approval, and no one under eighteen may hold one.

The annual fee is fifty dollars per calendar quarter under 3-3-3(G), and 3-3-1 credits any state pawnbroker fee paid under Idaho Code title 63, chapter 23 against the county fee. Pawnbrokers specifically must issue a numbered pawn ticket for every pledge under 3-3-7, tag the property with a matching number, and hold it for at least ninety days before selling or assigning it, per 3-3-8(A); the original owner can redeem it at any time during that window. Every transaction record must go in a triplicate, sequentially numbered invoice book approved by the sheriff, kept for three years, listing the customer's identification, a description of the property down to serial numbers and watch case numbers, and the loan amount, per 3-3-6.

Records and goods stay open to inspection by the sheriff, prosecuting attorney and any peace officer during business hours, and the first carbon copy of each transaction goes to the sheriff daily.