Hampton, VA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- License gate
- circuit court certificate required
- Issued by
- commissioner of the revenue
- Penalty
- Class 4 misdemeanor
- Revocation trigger
- 2nd conviction under Ch. 27
Summary
Before Hampton will issue a pawnbroker's business license, the applicant must present the commissioner of the revenue with a circuit court certificate authorizing the pawn business.
(a)Every pawnbroker, junk and secondhand dealer, as defined in chapter 27 of this Code, must comply with those provisions set forth therein.(b)No license shall be issued to any pawnbroker taxed under this section, until there is presented to the commissioner of the revenue a certificate from the circuit court permitting the operation of such business. (Ord. No. 1172, 10-9-96; Ord. No. 1461, 1-14-07)
Cross reference— Pawnbrokers, Ch. 27.
State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 54.1-4001.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Hampton City Code § 18.1-40 ties the pawnbroker business license tax to a court gate: no license will issue until the applicant presents a certificate from the circuit court permitting operation of the pawnbroking business, on top of the extensive recordkeeping, identification and daily police-reporting duties set out in chapter 27. A second conviction for violating chapter 27 lets a judge revoke or suspend the pawnbroker's license outright. Virginia's own pawnbroker licensing statute, Code of Virginia § 54.1-4001 et seq., operates alongside this local scheme, since Dillon Rule cities like Hampton license only within the limits the General Assembly sets.
Violations & Fines
Operating as a pawnbroker without the required circuit court certificate, or violating chapter 27's recordkeeping duties, is a Class 4 misdemeanor and can trigger license revocation on a second conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to open a pawnshop in Hampton, Virginia?
Can Hampton revoke a pawnbroker's license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
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