Cobb County, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Cobb County Code of Ordinances Chapter 78, Division 5, Subdivision II governs pawnshop licensing for the unincorporated area; Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs and Austell each license pawnshops under their own municipal codes. Under section 78-201(a), anyone who wants to open a pawnshop must file an application with the director of the business license office before beginning business. Section 78-201(b) sets the minimum applicant age at 25 and requires the application to be sworn to by the applicant or an authorized agent, supplying whatever information the supervisor of the business license office or the police department requests. Section 78-201(c) gives applicants 30 days to furnish any requested data, records, or interview witnesses; missing that deadline automatically dismisses the application with prejudice. Section 78-201(d) bars operating a pawnshop at the same premises as a business dealing in other secondhand goods, and bars issuing a secondhand-goods license for a location already licensed as a pawnshop.

Section 78-202 limits licenses to United States citizens, legal permanent residents, or qualified aliens lawfully present in the country; for a corporation or partnership, the majority stockholder or partners must meet that requirement. Section 78-203 disqualifies any owner, partner, principal stockholder or licensee convicted of a felony within the prior ten years, or of a disqualifying misdemeanor within the prior five years, though the license review board may waive a misdemeanor or nolo contendere plea after investigation. Section 78-204 routes every application through a county police department investigation and report to the business license office. Once approved, section 78-205 gives the applicant only two weeks to obtain the license and pay fees before the approval lapses. Section 78-206 requires the licensed premises to display 'Cobb County Pawnshop License Number ___' on the front window in letters at least three inches tall. Section 78-207 forfeits an unused license if the holder does not open within three months of issuance, or stops operating for three consecutive months. Section 78-208 makes licenses non-transferable except to another entity operating the same business at the same location, subject to a transfer fee and the same review as a new application.