Perth Amboy, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Chapter 313 was adopted 3-11-2015 as Ord. No. 1758-2015. It defines a pawnbroker as anyone lending money on deposit or pledge of personal property other than choses in action, securities or printed evidences of indebtedness, buying personal property on condition of selling it back at a stipulated price, or acting as a furniture storage warehouseman who lends money on goods pledged as collateral. Advertising, soliciting, negotiating or offering a pledge loan also counts as being in the business.

Two approvals are required under § 313-2: proof of a license from the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, and a pawnbroker permit from the City Clerk. Under § 313-3 the application is written, filed with the City Clerk, and accompanied by the state license. The initial fee is $200, paid at filing. A satisfactory background check including fingerprinting is required for each individual or business entity applying and for any employee, partner, officer or shareholder of the business entity. Each permit expires one (1) year from issuance. Renewal takes a $200 fee, another satisfactory fingerprint background check and proof of a current state license.

Day-to-day conduct is governed by the Pawnbroking Law, N.J.S.A. 45:22-1 et seq., its regulations at N.J.A.C. 3:16-1.1 et seq., and all federal, state and City laws (§ 313-4). Section 313-5 adds a daily police report: every day except Sunday, before eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the pawnbroker delivers to the Chief of Police or designee a transcript, on forms furnished by the Perth Amboy Police Department, describing each article received during the business day immediately preceding, the amount loaned and a description of the person making the pledge. Saturday business is reported before eleven o'clock a.m. of the succeeding Monday.

The Council of the City of Perth Amboy can suspend or revoke a permit in accordance with § 275-13, as § 313-6 provides.