Medford, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Pawnbroker's licenses in Medford flow through the general licensing framework in Chapter 14, Article II, Licenses and Permits, the same article whose own footnote ties a pawnbroker's license fee to M.G.L.A. c. 140, § 202. Section 14-31 directs the city council to grant such licenses in accordance with the law applying to them, and § 14-32 requires the city clerk to issue the license and sets a uniform expiration date of April 30 each year regardless of when the license was granted, unless another law provides otherwise.

On renewal, § 14-33 lets the city clerk act without a full council vote, but only after § 14-34 requires the clerk to obtain a police department report on the applicant's character and fitness to hold the license, and § 14-35 sends any refusal or adverse police report back to the city council for a final decision. Once granted or renewed, a pawnbroker's license remains subject to § 14-36, which lets the city council suspend or revoke it at its pleasure, with the city clerk required to give the holder written notice stating the reason for the revocation.

Appendix A, the Revised Ordinances' fee schedule, lists a separate $500.00 fee under item (c)(16) specifically for issuing and recording a pawnbroker's license, payable to the treasurer and collector under § 14-39 before the license becomes valid, and § 14-161 confirms the city council may license persons it deems suitable for comparable secondhand-goods trades under the same fee-schedule structure.