Orange, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

58 defines a pawnbroker as anyone who lends money on personal property pledges or buys and agrees to resell articles at a price fixed before purchase, and bars that business without a permit unless the operation is already licensed under Business and Professions Code Section 21640 et seq. Applications go to the Business Services Coordinator, who refers them to the Chief of Police; the Chief has each applicant fingerprinted and photographed at the applicant's expense and investigates for felony convictions or crimes substantially related to the pawn business.

Every pawnbroker must report all property purchased, pawned, or taken on consignment to the Chief of Police by noon the day after acquisition, using Police Department-prescribed forms, and keep complete English-language records open to law enforcement inspection at all times. Reported property must be held for 30 days from the report date; a police officer can extend that hold to 90 days in writing if the item is suspected stolen. Pawnbrokers dealing with anyone under 18 must obtain written, notarized parental or guardian permission before the transaction and attach it to the required report.