Mobile, AL Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Bond required
- $1,000
- Record log
- every item received
- Electronic reporting threshold
- >10 transactions/week
- Late-report fee
- $0.25 per transaction
Summary
Mobile requires every pawnbroker to post a $1,000 city bond, keep a detailed log of pawned goods, and report transactions to police.
No person shall carry on or conduct the business or calling of a pawnbroker in the city unless he gives a bond for one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), payable to the city and approved by the city, conditioned that he will in every particular conform to the provisions of this article and any other regulation which may be passed concerning pawnbrokers. Every person injured by him in any dealing or transaction with him as a pawnbroker shall have a right of action on such bond until the penalty is exhausted.
(Code 1965, § 44-2)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 53-102 bars anyone from operating as a pawnbroker in the city without first posting a $1,000 bond to the city, conditioned on complying with the pawnbroker article and any related regulation. Sec. 53-103 requires a permanent book recording a description of every item received on deposit, pledge, or purchase, with no erasures allowed, open to police inspection at any time under Sec. 53-105. Pawnbrokers running more than 10 transactions a week must report daily to the chief of police electronically under Sec. 53-106, with a $0.25 fee charged per erroneous or late report.
Violations & Fines
Operating as a pawnbroker without the required city bond is unlawful; failing to keep or produce the transaction log for police inspection, or filing a late or incorrect electronic report, brings added fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mobile require pawnbrokers to be licensed?
Do pawnbrokers have to keep records of items pawned?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mobile
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