San Diego County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

County Code Chapter 7 (Title 2, Division 1) governs pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers, but only in the unincorporated area; the county's 18 incorporated cities, including the City of San Diego, license these businesses under their own codes. Section 21.701 explains the chapter carries out Business and Professions Code §§ 21625 et seq., enacted to curtail trafficking in stolen property. Section 21.702 borrows state definitions: "pawnbroker" takes the meaning in Financial Code § 21000, and "secondhand dealer" the meaning in Business and Professions Code §§ 21626 and 21626.5.

Before opening, an operator needs a license from the Sheriff (§ 21.703) and must already have a fixed place of business inside the unincorporated area, since the Issuing Officer cannot license someone who lacks one (§ 21.704). Applications run through the countywide licensing scheme at §§ 21.101-21.117: the Issuing Officer can investigate the applicant's criminal history and fingerprints (§ 21.107), and may deny a new license if the applicant has a felony involving theft, fraud, violence or moral turpitude within the last five years (§ 21.108).

A license lasts one year and must be renewed 40 to 60 days before it expires (§ 21.109). Once licensed, a dealer must keep a copy of every daily report it sends the Sheriff on acquired property, required by Business and Professions Code §§ 21628-21630, for three years and make it available for inspection (§ 21.705). Every item acquired must be held for seven days from the date the dealer reports it to the Sheriff, during which it must be available for inspection on the premises or produced within one business day of a request (§ 21.706).