Flint, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing body
- City Council grants, City Clerk issues
- State law incorporated
- MCL §§ 446.201 et seq.
- Sunday operation
- Prohibited (§ 12-62.1)
- Pawn retention before sale
- At least 90 days
- Police access
- Warrantless, during business hours
Summary
Pawnbrokers operating in the City of Flint must pay a license application fee, secure a City-issued license, and comply with Michigan's pawnbroker statutes before doing business.
It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, partnership, copartnership or firm, to engage in the business of pawnbroker, secondhand dealer, junk dealer, auto salvage dealer or scrap iron and metal processor or recycler in the City without first paying a license application fee as fixed by Chapter 26 of this Code, securing a license and otherwise complying with this article and the regulations of MCLA §§ 446.201 et seq. ... which provisions are hereby incorporated by reference as a part of this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2016 Code: Local legislation current through Ordinance 3821, passed 3-1-2012).
Full Breakdown
Section 12-53.1 folds pawnbrokers into the same licensing article as junk and secondhand dealers, requiring a Chapter 26 application fee and compliance with MCL §§ 446.201 et seq. Applications go to the City Clerk, are investigated by Fire, Police, and Building and Safety, and only the City Council can grant the license, based on a finding of good moral character and no disqualifying convictions (§ 12-56, § 12-58). Once licensed, pawnbrokers may not open for business on Sundays (§ 12-62.1), must hold pawned items at least 90 days before sale (§ 12-62.2), and must give police warrantless access to the premises during business hours (§ 12-62.3).
Violations & Fines
Operating unlicensed, or violating recordkeeping and hold provisions, exposes a pawnbroker to license revocation under § 12-58 and Flint's general penalty of up to $500 and 90 days per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Flint pawnshop open on Sundays?
How long must a Flint pawnbroker hold an item before selling it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
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