Palm Beach County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $350, renewed annually
- Business tax
- $372.08 per business location
- Holding period
- 15 calendar days before resale
- Operating hours ban
- Closed 10 p.m.–8 a.m.
- Geographic scope
- Countywide, incorporated and unincorporated
Summary
Palm Beach County requires anyone operating a pawnshop or buying/pawning secondhand goods to get a $350 sheriff's office permit, hold goods 15 days before resale, and submit transaction records within 24 hours: rules that apply countywide, in every city and the unincorporated area alike.
It shall be unlawful for a person, corporation, or other business entity to engage in the business of purchasing, consigning or pawning secondhand goods within the unincorporated and incorporated areas of the county without first obtaining a permit thereof. All persons applying for a secondhand dealer's permit shall present proof of registration issued by the state Department of Revenue in accordance with F.S. Ch. 538. A secondhand dealer shall also show proof that a county-issued occupational license has been obtained.(b)Applications for secondhand dealer permits shall be made on forms provided by the sheriff's office. Each application shall be accompanied by a registration fee of three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00).
Full Breakdown
Under the county's Secondhand Dealer Ordinance, anyone who buys, consigns, or pawns secondhand goods, including pawnbrokers, must get a permit from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office before opening (Sec. 17-135), pay a $350 registration fee (renewed annually by October 1), and separately pay the county's $372.08 pawnbroker business tax (Sec. 17-81). Dealers must record every transaction, including the seller's photo ID and thumbprint, and deliver a copy to the sheriff's office within 24 hours (Sec. 17-128). Goods can't be sold for 15 calendar days after acquisition (Sec. 17-131), and shops can't operate between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. (Sec. 17-134). The ordinance applies in every municipality as well as unincorporated areas (Sec. 17-139).
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit or violating the ordinance's provisions is a criminal offense punishable by up to a $500 fine, 60 days in jail, or both, per violation, plus permit revocation (Secs. 17-134, 17-138).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside cities like West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
How long must a pawnbroker hold an item before reselling it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.