Pennsylvania's Pawnbrokers License Act (Act 271 of 1937) is administered by the Department of Banking and Securities, and Philly Code 9-1100 layers transaction-reporting and zoning rules. State caps interest, mandates ticketing, and sets pledge-redemption periods.
Pennsylvania's Pawnbrokers License Act requires pawnbrokers to hold a state license issued by the Department of Banking and Securities, subject to background checks, $50,000 surety bond, and capital requirements. The state caps interest and storage charges, mandates pawn tickets with detailed item descriptions, and sets a redemption period before unredeemed pledges may be sold. In Philadelphia, pawnbrokers must also hold a Commercial Activity License, follow Code 9-1100 transaction reporting via LeadsOnline, and comply with Title 14 zoning, which routes them to commercial corridors. Federal Truth-in-Lending and Bank Secrecy Act rules add disclosure and large-transaction reporting on top of state and city duties.
Operating without a state pawnbroker license is a misdemeanor under Act 271; charging illegal interest, failing to ticket pledges, or skipping LeadsOnline reports can trigger license revocation, restitution, fines, and consumer-protection action by the PA Attorney General.
Philadelphia, PA
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See how Philadelphia's pawnbrokers rules stack up against other locations.
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