James City County, VA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

James City County Code § 12-73 makes it unlawful to engage in the pawnbroker business without first obtaining a license from the commissioner of the revenue and authorization from the circuit court. 00 nonrefundable application fee to the treasurer's office and must prove that payment with the application. The license must meet Va. 1-4001, and the applicant must supply date of birth, the exact business location, and information showing good character to the chief of police, including fingerprinting and a criminal history check plus a valid county business license.

00 fee, and is required of every person employed in the pawnbroker business. 00. Section 12-72 defines a pawnbroker as any person who lends or advances money for profit on the pledge and possession of personal property, or who buys personal property on condition of selling it back at a stipulated price. Section 12-74 requires a detailed written record in English of every loan or transaction, including item description, serial number, date, amount loaned, interest rate, fees, and the seller's identifying information verified against a government-issued ID.

Section 12-75 can require a daily report of items pawned that day, filed by noon the next day with the county's designated law enforcement officer. Section 12-76 bars disfiguring or altering pawned or purchased property, and § 12-77 requires pawnbrokers to admit the chief of police or other law enforcement to examine records during regular business hours. Section 12-78 requires releasing suspected stolen property to law enforcement after a receipt is given.