Hammond, IN Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Section 118.20(A) makes it unlawful to engage in the business of a pawnbroker, or a cash-for-gold or other purchaser of scrap metal or jewelry, in the city without first obtaining a city license. Applicants apply in writing to the City Controller under subsection (B), listing the applicant's or partners' or corporate officers' names and residences and the exact business location; the license is tied to that address and the fee is $100 per year. Under subsection (C), a business that does not obtain its annual license within 30 days of January 1 must instead pay $300, and the license always expires December 31 regardless of issue date.

Subsection (D) requires every pawnshop license applicant or renewal to show membership in the online resale reporting organization LEADS-ONLINE.com, and refusal to participate is grounds for denial. Section 118.21 additionally requires every pawnbroker licensee to post a $500 bond to the city with sufficient sureties approved by the City Controller, conditioned on compliance with the code and other city ordinances governing pawnbrokers. Section 118.22 layers on recordkeeping duties: licensees must keep an accurate, itemized, English-language description (including any inscriptions or identifying marks) of every item pledged, deposited, or sold, along with a photograph of each item and a verified photo ID from every customer, all available to the Hammond Police Department on request.