Broward County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Fee
- $150 per place of business, annually
- Authority
- Broward County Tax Collector
- Citation
- Broward County Code § 20-43
- Covers
- Pledge loans and buy-back resale deals
Summary
Broward County requires every pawnbroker to hold a $150 annual business tax receipt for each place of business before operating under Code Sec. 20-43.
Pawnbrokers shall pay one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for each place of business. As used in this section, any person who loans money on the security of tangible personal property pledged in his/her keeping, or who purchases tangible personal property with an obligation to return same to the seller upon payment of the original purchase price together with an additional fee, shall be deemed to be a pawnbroker.
(Ord. No. 72-13, § 29, 7-11-72; Ord. No. 80-64, § 19, 8-12-80; Ord. No. 84-13, § 19, 3-15-84; Ord. No. 84-44, § 20, 6-21-84; Ord. No. 85-36, § 20, 8-6-85; Ord. No. 86-12, § 20, 3-11-86; Ord. No. 87-63, § 16, 8-4-87; Ord. No. 88-35, § 20, 8-16-88; Ord. No. 2006-40, § 1, 12-12-06)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Broward County Code Sec. 20-43 sets a flat $150 annual business tax on pawnbrokers, due for each place of business and payable to the Broward County Tax Collector before opening. The code defines a pawnbroker broadly: anyone who loans money on the security of tangible personal property pledged in their keeping, or who buys tangible personal property with an obligation to return it to the seller upon repayment of the original purchase price plus an added fee, is covered. The receipt is separate from any state pawnbroker licensing Florida law imposes and from municipal licensing in cities such as Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood that run their own tax systems.
Violations & Fines
Operating as a pawnbroker without a current Broward County business tax receipt violates Sec. 20-43 and can draw code enforcement penalties plus back taxes owed to the County Tax Collector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes someone a "pawnbroker" under Broward County's code?
How much does a Broward County pawnbroker business tax receipt cost?
Does the county receipt replace state pawnbroker licensing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida business licensing & operations overview
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