Pontiac, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Article XVIII of the Pontiac City Code, Sections 26-976 through 26-1001, governs pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers, auto salvage dealers, scrap processors and junk dealers. Section 26-978 requires anyone engaging in the pawnbroker business, as defined by Michigan's 1917 Pawnbrokers Act (MCL 446.201 et seq.), to comply with that state act and to separately obtain a city license, and Section 26-978(b) extends the same city license requirement to junk dealers, junk gatherers and secondhand dealers. Applicants must file a detailed application under Section 26-979 disclosing ownership, a complete list of employees, fingerprints retained by the Oakland County Sheriff Substation Commander, prior business history, criminal convictions, and three adult character references from county residents.

Section 26-980 routes every application to the Sheriff Substation Commander for a background investigation and a premises inspection, with a report due to the Community Development Director within 45 days. Section 26-981 lets the Community Development Director deny a license for an unpaid fee, a noncompliant location, a disqualifying conviction for a crime of moral turpitude within the past 15 years, a false statement, or a prior license revocation within 15 years, and a denied applicant can appeal to the Board of Appeals under Section 26-982.

Before any pawnbroker license issues, Section 26-997(b) requires a corporate surety bond of at least $10,000.00 that stays in force for 90 days after the license ends. Section 26-998 requires ongoing compliance with the state Pawnbrokers Act, the Precious Metal and Gem Dealer Act, and the Secondhand Watches Act. Section 26-1000 bars buying from anyone under 18.