Hemet, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual fee
- $150.00 per year, flat rate
- License expires
- December 31 each year
- Unlicensed operation
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine/6 months
- Revocation process
- Council hearing, 10 days' written notice
- Emergency suspension
- Up to 15 days pending hearing
- Appeal deadline
- 15 calendar days to city clerk
Summary
Anyone operating a pawnshop in Hemet must first obtain a city business license and pay a $150 flat annual fee under the fixed-fee schedule in City Code § 18-61. The license is separate from, and in addition to, any state pawnbroker licensing, and it must be renewed every year by December 31.
Pawnbroker, as defined by state law*: $150.00 per year. ... It is unlawful for any person to transact and carry on any business, trade, profession, calling or occupation in the city without first having procured a license from the city to do so and paying the fee prescribed in this article, or without complying with any and all applicable provisions of this article. ... Any person violating any of the provisions of this article, or who does not obtain a license prior to doing business ... shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in section 1-8. ... Any license issued pursuant to the provisions of this article may be revoked by the city council for what it may deem good and sufficient reasons, in order to preserve the peace, health, safety and general welfare of the city, only upon a hearing held before a quorum of the city council, after ten days' written notice to such licensee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 69 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Hemet's business license article makes it unlawful to "transact and carry on any business, trade, profession, calling or occupation in the city" without first procuring a license and paying the prescribed fee (§ 18-45(a)). 00 per year regardless of gross receipts, tying the classification to the definition of "pawnbroker" set by state law. A separate license is required for each branch location (§ 18-45(b)(1)), and licenses run on a calendar-year cycle, expiring December 31 following issuance unless the license was issued on a quarterly new-business cycle (§ 18-35).
The license collector and police may enter the licensed premises at any reasonable time to demand exhibition of the license (§ 18-49(g)(1)), and the license must be posted conspicuously on the business premises (§ 18-49(d)(1)). The city council may revoke a pawnbroker's license "for what it may deem good and sufficient reasons" to preserve peace, health, safety or general welfare, but only after a hearing before a quorum of the council held on at least ten days' written notice to the licensee stating the grounds of complaint (§ 18-49(h)).
Pending that hearing, the fire chief, police chief, health officer, building inspector, streets supervisor or the council itself may suspend the license for up to 15 days if suspension is judged necessary to protect public peace, health or safety (§ 18-49(i)). A licensee aggrieved by a denial, non-renewal, suspension or revocation may appeal in writing to the city clerk within 15 calendar days of mailed notice, triggering a hearing before an independent hearing officer whose decision is final (§ 18-50(a)).
Violations & Fines
Operating a pawnshop without the license, or knowingly misrepresenting a material fact to obtain one, is a misdemeanor under § 18-52(a), punishable under § 1-8(f) by a fine of up to $1,000.00, imprisonment up to six months, or both. Each day the business continues unlicensed is a separate violation (§ 18-52(b)). The license may also be suspended up to 15 days or revoked after a noticed city council hearing (§ 18-49(h)-(i)).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a pawnbroker business license cost in Hemet?
Do I need a separate license for each pawnshop location?
Can Hemet revoke my pawnbroker license?
What happens if I run a pawnshop in Hemet without a license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hemet
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