Gwinnett County, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $100 (or board-set amount)
- Basis
- Criminal history background check
- Multi-location
- Fee charged per pawnshop
- Renewal
- Annual, separate from tax certificate
Summary
Anyone opening a pawnshop in unincorporated Gwinnett County must first get an annual $100 permit from the police department, backed by a criminal-history background check, separate from the standard occupation tax certificate.
All persons before beginning the business of operating a pawnshop or similar place, and persons pledging, trading, pawning, exchanging, or selling property shall first file an application with the county police department for an annual permit to conduct such business. The issuance of such permit will be based on a criminal history background investigation of the applicant. The cost of the permit/criminal history background investigation shall be $100.00, or a fee established by the board of commissioners. This fee is imposed to cover investigative expenses and/or administrative costs associated with issuing an initial permit for all owners. In the event an owner has more than one pawnshop, then each location will be assessed the above fee. This fee is nonrefundable in the event an applicant, for any reason, is not issued a permit and/or an occupational tax certificate. Owners are required to renew the permit upon expiration thereof and shall be required to pay a renewal fee established by the board of commissioners.
(Code 1994, § 82-2; Res. of 12-15-2009(1))
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 18-542 requires anyone starting a pawnshop, or any person pledging, trading, pawning, exchanging, or selling property through one, to file an application with the county police department for an annual permit before opening. The police department bases approval on a criminal-history background investigation, and the applicant pays a $100 fee, or the amount set by the board of commissioners, to cover the cost: nonrefundable even if denied. Owners with more than one pawnshop pay the fee for each location.
Violations & Fines
Operating a pawnshop without the annual police permit, or letting an unpermitted employee work the floor, is grounds for permit denial, suspension, or revocation under Sec. 18-545, plus a $100–$1,000 fine or up to 60 days in jail under Sec. 1-11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the pawnshop permit the same as Gwinnett's business tax certificate?
Do I get the $100 pawnshop permit fee back if I'm denied?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gwinnett County
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