Palm Springs, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Chief of Police permit, plus Ch. 3.84 license tax
- Daily reports
- Filed with police before midnight each day
- Holding period
- 30 days before resale, Sec. 5.44.020
- ID requirement
- Must record seller's true name and address
- False info
- Unlawful under Sec. 5.44.050
- Report confidentiality
- Police records only, shared with DOJ and courts
Summary
Pawnbrokers in Palm Springs need both a business license tax under Chapter 3.84 and a police-issued permit under Chapter 5.44 before opening. The Chief of Police reviews the application and can deny it, and pawnbrokers must file daily transaction reports and hold merchandise for 30 days before it can be resold.
For every pawnbroker, the tax per year shall be at the rate set forth in Section 3.90.210 (p). ... No person shall engage in any of the business activities the operators of which are required to render reports pursuant to Section 5.44.010, unless and until he first receives a permit so to do from the chief of police, which permit shall be issued upon the applicant's giving of all information deemed necessary by the chief for proper registration of the applicant, and upon it appearing that in all respects the applicant has complied with this chapter and promises to do so in the future. Further, no person shall engage in any of the activities as prescribed unless and until the business license fee in the appropriate amount is first paid to the city manager or his authorized representative.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4923139; v14 updated 2026-06-24).
Full Breakdown
210(p). 44. The business license fee must also be paid to the city manager before operating. 010 requires a full daily report to the Chief of Police, before midnight, of every item received on deposit or purchased in the preceding 24 hours, including the hour received and the seller's description, true name, and address as far as known, filed on a state-approved form and written clearly in English. 040 requires the pawnbroker or its employees to require the pledgor to show identification and, as best they can, sign a true name and correct address.
020 requires pledged or purchased property to be kept intact for 30 calendar days from acquisition unless the chief releases it sooner, and it must be produced for inspection by police on demand during that period. 030 keeps the daily reports confidential, limited to city police, law enforcement from the customer's home area, other peace officers on official duty, court order, and a copy forwarded to the state's Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
Violations & Fines
No pawnbroker may operate in Palm Springs without both the Chapter 3.84 business license tax and the Chief of Police permit required by Section 5.44.060; the chief will not issue the permit until satisfied the applicant has complied with Chapter 5.44 and grants it only on a promise of continued compliance. Falsifying a name, address, or other information entered on a required daily pawn report is separately unlawful under Section 5.44.050, and operating unlicensed is punishable under the city's general penalty provisions in Chapters 1.01 and 3.64 per Section 3.76.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palm Springs require a separate permit for pawnbrokers?
How long must a Palm Springs pawnbroker hold pledged items before reselling them?
What information must a Palm Springs pawnbroker collect from a customer?
Are a pawnbroker's daily transaction reports public record in Palm Springs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Springs
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