Pawnshops in El Paso operate under state license from the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) per Texas Finance Code Chapter 371, plus city business registration and police transaction reporting requirements.
The Texas Finance Code Chapter 371 (Pawnshop Act) sets statewide rules: maximum loan amounts, interest caps based on loan size, redemption periods of at least 30 days, and minimum holding times before forfeiture sales. The OCCC inspects shops and licenses brokers. El Paso requires a local Chapter 7 business registration and reports to EPPD via LeadsOnline. Pawnbrokers must record borrower ID, photograph items, and hold pledged property for the contract redemption period. Stolen-goods reports trigger evidence holds.
Operating without an OCCC license is a Class A misdemeanor; usury, holding violations, or failing to report transactions can lead to license revocation, refunds to borrowers, and fines up to $1,000 per violation.
See how El Paso's pawnbrokers rules stack up against other locations.
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