Monroe Township (Middlesex County), NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Chapter 51, adopted by the Township Council on 12-3-18 and titled Gold, Silver and Other Precious Metals, folds pawnbrokers in with secondhand dealers. Section 51-2 defines a pawnbroker as 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 a furniture storage warehouseman lending money on pledged goods.

The license comes from the Township Clerk and bears a number the Clerk issues. The application sets out the dealer's name, date of birth and address, citizenship status, and any crime, disorderly persons offense or municipal ordinance violation history. The Clerk refers it to the Chief of Police, who investigates experience, reputation for fair dealing, criminal record and type of operation, completes the investigation within 30 days of submission, and recommends grant or denial in writing. A denial is communicated to the applicant in writing within 10 days. Under § 51-4E an applicant can ask for a hearing before a three-person panel appointed by the Chief of Police by filing a written notice of appeal within 10 days of the denial notice. No license is assignable.

Section 51-7 requires a bond delivered to the Township Clerk in the penal sum of $10,000, renewed annually along with the license. Section 51-8 sets fees under Chapter 39, separate from fees for the mandatory electronic database system designated by the Chief of Police, and makes a license valid for one year from issuance. Advertising is regulated too: any ad that secondhand goods are being bought must state the license number, in type no smaller than eight point in print.

Operating duties follow in §§ 51-5 and 51-6. Dealers require acceptable identification and a declaration of ownership from each seller, photograph every item, and enter each transaction into the electronic database by the end of the close of business on the same date. Goods are held for inspection at least seven calendar days, and jewelry at least 10 business days.