Huntington Park, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Written City Council permit before any business license
- Fees
- $25 application, $50 special permit, $25 renewal
- Holding period
- No sale or disposal within 30 days after purchase or receipt
- Closed hours
- 12:00 midnight Saturday to 7:00 a.m. Monday
- Weekday closing
- 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on days other than Saturday and Sunday
- After revocation
- No new permit for six months
Summary
In the City of Huntington Park, California, a pawnbroker needs a written City Council permit before the Director of Finance issues a business license. The Council issues one only after specifically finding the business will not harm safety, public morals, neighboring businesses, or nearby property values. Fees are $25 to apply and $25 to renew, and § 3-1.1712 restricts hours of operation.
After the investigation of the business of the applicant and the location at which the applicant proposes to engage in business, the Council, in its discretion, may issue a permit to the applicant which shall be effective for the remaining portion of the current year. In exercising its discretion, the Council may take into consideration all facts as it may deem pertinent and proper and, before issuing any permit, shall specifically find that the following conditions exist: (a) That the granting of such permit will not be detrimental to the safety, public morals, or general welfare of the City; (b) That the granting of such permit will not be detrimental or injurious to other businesses located adjacent to or in the general vicinity of the proposed pawnbroker business; and (c) That the granting of such permit will not be injurious to property or land values in the vicinity of the proposed business.
Full Breakdown
Article 17 of Title 3, Chapter 1 of the Huntington Park Municipal Code defines a pawnbroker as a person lending money on personal property, personal security, pawns, or pledges, or buying articles and agreeing to resell them to the vendors at prices set at the time of purchase (§ 3-1.1701). Under § 3-1.1702 the business is unlawful without a written Council permit, and the Director of Finance cannot issue a license until the permit is granted.
The applicant files with the Council the street and number of the business and a residence address (§ 3-1.1703). The Council pays for the investigation through fees set in § 3-1.1711: $25 for an ordinary permit application, $50 for a special permit, $25 for annual renewal, $10 for a change of location, and $10 for a change of ownership where the new owner already holds a permit. No application fee is refunded if the permit is denied. The Council then investigates the business and location (§ 3-1.1705) and, in its discretion, issues a permit effective for the remaining portion of the current year, after specific findings on public safety and morals, effect on adjacent businesses, and effect on property and land values (§ 3-1.1706). Section 3-1.1707 requires an annual renewal.
Operating rules are printed in the same article. Section 3-1.1712 makes it unlawful to accept a pledge, lend money, or purchase goods between 12:00 midnight on Saturday and 7:00 a.m. the following Monday, or between 7:00 p.m. of any day other than Saturday or Sunday and 7:00 a.m. of the following day. A sign in English, readable from the sidewalk, must state that the business is a pawnbroker (§ 3-1.1713). Record retention and daily reporting follow Business and Professions Code Section 21628 et seq. (§ 3-1.1714). A pawnbroker cannot sell or dispose of an article within 30 days after receiving it (§ 3-1.1721). A special permit is needed to deal in secondhand jewelry, precious stones, precious metals including old gold, watches, or similar merchandise (§ 3-1.1710).
Violations & Fines
Under § 3-1.1708, the Police Chief must suspend a pawnbroker permit when the holder violates the article or any law regulating the business, including Chapter XI of Title 9 of Part 1 of the Penal Code. After suspension, the business is unlawful until a hearing by the Police Chief and the Council, with written notice at least three days before. The Council revokes the permit if it finds a violation, and no new permit issues for six months (§ 3-1.1709).
Frequently Asked Questions
What must the City Council find before issuing a pawnbroker permit?
What fees does a pawnbroker pay to the City?
When can a Huntington Park pawnshop not operate?
How long must a pawnbroker hold an item before selling it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Park
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