Glendale, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- License
- Required for every pawnbroker
- Application
- Fingerprints and photos required
- Hold period
- 30 days before resale
- Records
- Open to police at all times
- Reporting
- On state-law schedule, not weekly
- Minors
- No pledges or purchases under 18
Summary
Glendale requires anyone loaning money against pledged personal property, or buying goods with an agreement to resell them back, to hold a pawnbroker license under Municipal Code Chapter 5.48. Pledged or purchased items cannot be resold for 30 days, records must stay open to police at all times, and dealing with anyone under 18 is banned outright.
"Pawnbroker" means any person engaging in, conducting, managing or carrying on a business of loaning money on the security of personal property pledged in his or her keeping, or of purchasing personal property, and agreeing at or before the time of purchase to resell the same to the vendor at a stipulated price. "Pawnshop" means any room, store or place in which the business of a pawnbroker is conducted. ... No person shall engage in, conduct, manage or carry on the business of pawnbroker, secondhand dealer, auto wrecker or junk dealer without having first obtained a license from the city to do so in the manner provided by this chapter. ... No pawnbroker, secondhand dealer, junk dealer or auto wrecker shall sell or otherwise dispose of any article or thing within thirty days after such article or thing has been received or purchased by him or her as set forth in Business and Professions Code Section 21636.
Full Breakdown
010 defines a "pawnbroker" as a person loaning money on personal property pledged in their keeping, or purchasing property with an agreement made before the purchase to resell it to the seller at a set price, and defines a "pawnshop" as the place where that business is conducted. 050 that discloses the type of business, any prior license refusal by another municipality, and fingerprints and photographs for a police background investigation. 110. , while pawnbrokers report at the times specified by state law, tied to the pledge register required under State Financial Code Section 21202.
050(D). 060 bars selling or disposing of any pledged or purchased item within 30 days of receiving it, as set out in Business and Professions Code Section 21636. 080 flatly bans receiving, buying, or trading goods from anyone under 18, and a false claim of age by that person does not excuse the violation. 090 requires every seller or pledger to give their true name, correct age, and correct address.
Violations & Fines
Failing to keep records open to police inspection, signing a fictitious name on a pledge, doing business with a minor, or disposing of a pledged item before the 30-day hold expires are each violations of Chapter 5.48 that expose the license to suspension or revocation under Section 5.48.030, appealable under Section 5.04.110. Because the chapter does not assign these violations a specific infraction penalty, they default to the general misdemeanor penalty in Section 1.20.010(A): a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What license does a pawnshop need to operate in Glendale?
How long must a Glendale pawnbroker hold pledged items before reselling them?
Can a Glendale pawnbroker accept an item from a minor?
Are pawnshop transaction records private in Glendale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
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