Pottstown, PA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Chapter 13, Part 6 of the Borough Code governs pawnbrokers as a distinct category from Pottstown's general Section 301 licensing scheme. Section 601 bars anyone from carrying on the pawnbroker trade in the Borough without the license required by Section 301(B), which sets an annual fee by Borough Council resolution and additionally requires pawnbrokers to file weekly reports on blanks furnished by the Borough listing all goods pawned during the preceding week. Section 602 defines a pawnbroker broadly to include anyone who lends money on the deposit or pledge of personal property or securities, who buys property under an agreement to sell it back at a set price, or who lends against goods pledged as collateral.

Section 603 requires a daily journal, kept in English and retained for five years, recording a full description of every item purchased or pledged, the time of the transaction, identifying details like manufacturer, model and serial number, the amount lent or paid, and the seller's name, address, phone number and positive photo identification. Section 604 layers a monthly reporting duty on top of the daily journal: on the last business day of each month, every pawnbroker must send the Chief of Police a written record of every transaction where the item's original value exceeded $100.

Section 605 requires a signed memorandum to the pledgor covering the loan amount, interest and storage charges and redemption period, and Section 606 bars accepting a pledge from anyone under 18 unless a parent or legal guardian is present.