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Sacramento, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Permit required
Pawnbroker permit issued by chief of police
Hours restriction
No loans on Sunday or 7pm-7am other days
Holding period
Pawned goods held 10 days before resale
Minors barred
No loans or purchases from anyone under 18
Records
Numbered forms retained 3 years, filed daily
Penalty
Violation of Articles I-III is an infraction

Summary

Pawnbrokers in Sacramento must hold a city permit before making loans against pledged property, and once licensed they face fixed hours, a mandatory holding period on purchased goods, and a ban on dealing with minors: all enforced through the chief of police.

No pawnbroker shall transact any loan on Sunday, nor on any other day between the hours of seven p.m. and seven a.m. Retail sales shall not be limited by this section.

View official code

Full Breakdown

040 makes operating without that permit unlawful and a declared public nuisance. 060. 210 bars any pawnbroker or employee from receiving or purchasing property from, or making a loan to, anyone under 18. 180 additionally confines the pawnbroker to transacting business only at the address named on the license.

Violations & Fines

§ 5.80.030 makes any violation of Articles I, II, or III of Chapter 5.80, including unlicensed operation, violating the hours restriction, skipping the holding period, or transacting with a minor, an infraction. The chief of police can also deny, suspend, or revoke a permit under § 5.80.080 and § 5.80.140 for felony convictions involving stolen property or other statutory grounds, subject to appeal under § 5.80.150 and judicial review under § 5.80.160.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Sacramento require pawnbrokers to have a license?
Yes. § 5.80.010 requires any pawnbroker to obtain a permit before conducting business in the city, applied for with the chief of police under § 5.80.050.
What hours can a pawnbroker make loans?
§ 5.80.190 bars pawnbrokers from transacting any loan on Sunday or between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. on any other day; retail sales are not restricted by this rule.
How long must a pawnbroker hold purchased goods before reselling?
§ 5.80.200 requires a 10-day holding period from receipt before any secondhand property bought by a pawnbroker can be resold.
Can a pawnbroker do business with a minor?
No. § 5.80.210 prohibits any pawnbroker, secondhand dealer, junk dealer, or their employee from receiving, purchasing, or lending to anyone under 18.

Sources & Official References

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All Sacramento rules

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