Escambia County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- BTR classification
- Pawn Broker, retail classification also required
- Annual tax
- $26.25
- Receipt expiration
- Every September 30
- Warrington spacing rule
- 2,500 ft between pawnshops in Warr-OL
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Escambia County only
- Governing sections
- Code §§ 90-92, 90-93, 90-95; LDC § 3-3.8(b)(2)
Summary
Escambia County requires anyone operating a pawnshop in the unincorporated county to hold a local Business Tax Receipt under the "Pawn Broker" classification before opening, alongside the retail sales classification the code also requires. Inside the Warrington Redevelopment overlay near NAS Pensacola, a new pawnshop must sit at least 2,500 feet from any existing one.
It shall be unlawful for any person, either directly or indirectly, to conduct any business or enterprise, for which a permit or state license is required or business tax receipt is required by F.S. § 205.042, ordinance or resolution of this county, without such license or permit therefore being first procured and kept in effect at all such times as required by law. Failure to abide by any such requirement shall be penalized as provided by law and ordinance.
(Code 1985, § 1-19-20; Ord. No. 2006-88, § 1, 12-7-2006)
State Law reference— Levy of business tax, F.S. § 205.042.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 113).
Full Breakdown
Under County Code § 90-93, it is unlawful to conduct any business, including pawnbroking, in unincorporated Escambia County without first procuring a business tax receipt (BTR) and keeping it in effect. 25, and requires the pawnbroker to also hold the separate retail classification for merchandise resale. Receipts are administered under § 90-92: once issued they are valid for no more than one year and expire every September 30, regardless of when during the year the pawnbroker first applied. " The one Escambia zoning rule that singles out pawnshops by name sits in the Land Development Code's Warrington overlay (Warr-OL), covering the commercial corridors leading to the Warrington-area military gates.
8(b)(2) requires that any two locations of the same use be separated by at least 2,500 feet, measured between the closest points of the two property boundaries, for pawnshops, along with bars, check-cashing services, package alcohol sales and tattoo parlors. Outside the mapped Warr-OL boundary, the code does not impose a distance separation on pawnshops elsewhere in the unincorporated county.
Violations & Fines
Operating a pawnshop without a current Business Tax Receipt violates § 90-93 and is penalized as provided by law and ordinance, and the tax collector may refuse or revoke the receipt. Opening a second pawnshop inside the Warrington overlay within 2,500 feet of an existing one violates LDC § 3-3.8(b)(2) and is a zoning violation subject to county code enforcement, which can require the use to be discontinued or brought into compliance before occupancy is approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a county license to open a pawnshop in Escambia County?
Is there a distance requirement between pawnshops?
Does the county's business tax receipt cover state pawnbroker licensing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Escambia County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Escambia County to another location·View the Florida business licensing & operations overview
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