Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Lakewood

Lakewood, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

License fee: $400 initial and annual renewal
Bond required: $10,000 surety bond
Item retention before resale: At least 10 business days
Transaction records kept: Minimum 5 years
Max penalty: Up to 90 days imprisonment/community service
Minimum seller age: 18 years

Summary

Lakewood Township licenses pawnbrokers, defined as anyone lending money on a pledge of personal property, under Code § 4-9. Operators post a $10,000 bond, pay a $400 license fee, and must hold every pledged item at least 10 business days before disposing of it.

PAWNBROKER Means any person, partnership, association or corporation: lending money on deposit or pledge of personal property, other than choses in action, securities, or printed evidences of indebtedness; purchasing personal property on condition of selling it back at a stipulated price; or doing business as furniture storage warehousemen and lending money on goods, wares or merchandise pledged or deposited as collateral security.

View official code

Full Breakdown

4). 6a). 8). 6d). A. , alongside these local requirements.

Violations & Fines

A pawnbroker who violates § 4-9 faces, upon conviction, a fine up to the limit in N.J.S.A. 40:49-5 or up to 90 days of imprisonment or community service, plus license suspension or revocation (§ 4-9.9, § 4-9.6f-g). A third violation, or a second within one year of an earlier one, is grounds for revocation (§ 4-9.6g1), and a repeat offender within a year of a prior fine faces an additional fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long must a Lakewood pawnbroker hold an item before reselling it?

At least 10 business days from when the transaction is reported to the Chief of Police, or the statutory period under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-36(d) if longer, per Code § 4-9.6a.

Does a Lakewood pawnbroker need to post a bond?

Yes. Section 4-9.7 requires a $10,000 surety bond delivered to the Municipal Clerk, reviewed by the Municipal Attorney and renewed annually with the license.

What must a pawnbroker collect from someone pledging an item?

Acceptable government photo ID, a signed 'Declaration of Ownership,' and photographs of the seller, the ID, and each item individually, all entered into the Township's electronic database the same business day (§ 4-9.5).

Sources & Official References

[1]Township of Lakewood Code § 4-9, Dealers of Precious Metals and Other Secondhand Goods (eCode360)

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All Lakewood rules

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