Hawthorne, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Chapter 5.52 defines a pawnbroker as anyone engaged in loaning money on personal property, personal security, jewelry or pledges, or in buying articles and reselling or agreeing to resell them to the same seller at a pre-agreed price, under § 5.52.010. Section 5.52.020(A) sets the license fee at $200 per year or on a gross-receipts basis, whichever is greater. Every pawnbroker must keep a complete record of all goods pledged, purchased, received, sold or disposed of, per § 5.52.040, and that record along with all goods on hand must stay open at all times during business hours to inspection by the chief of police, fire chief, or any authorized police officer or fireman under § 5.52.050.

Section 5.52.060 requires a full written report delivered to the police department every Monday and Thursday before 10:00 a.m., listing each item's description, the hour it was received, the seller's name and address as far as ascertainable, whether the seller is under eighteen, the pawn ticket number, and amounts loaned or paid; these reports are kept confidential and open only to police or a court order. No pawnbroker may sell or otherwise dispose of pledged or purchased goods within five days of receiving them, under § 5.52.090.

Doing business with a minor requires a parental or guardian statement confirming the minor's right to sell the goods, per § 5.52.080. A pawnbroker license application must be referred to the chief of police, fire chief, planning commission and city manager for approval under § 5.52.030, and § 5.52.110 bars issuing a new pawnbroker license or permit to anyone whose license was revoked within the preceding twelve months. A copy of Chapter 5.52 must be posted conspicuously at the place of business under § 5.52.120.