Harris County, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing agency
- Texas OCCC
- Statute
- TX Finance Code Ch. 371
- Hold period
- Minimum 60 days total
- Surety bond
- $5,000 per location
- Reporting
- LeadsOnline daily
Summary
Texas Finance Code Chapter 371 places pawnshop licensing exclusively with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. Harris County pawnbrokers must hold an OCCC license, post maximum interest and fee charts, hold pledges for at least 60 days, and report transactions to law enforcement databases like LeadsOnline.
Pawnshops & Pawn Employees - Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner [...] Statutes & Rules. These are the primary statutes and rules that apply to pawnshops and pawn employees. This is not a complete list of laws that pawnshops and pawn employees are required to comply with. Primary State Statute: Chapter 371, Texas Finance Code: Pawnshops. OCCC's Rules: Title 7, Chapter 85, Texas Administrative Code. [...] Important Dates: June 01 - Renewal Opens for Pawn Shop & Pawn Employees. June 30 - Renewal Closes For Pawn Shop & Pawn Employees ****Pawn Shop Licenses not renewed by midnight will Cancel*** ****Pawn Employees who do not renew their license by midnight must reapply*** July 1 - Pawn Shop reinstatement* period opens. Pawn shop licenses not renewed by June 30 have 180 days after the cancellation date at midnight to reinstate* their cancelled license(s). Pawn Shop licenses not reinstated not later than the 180th day after its expiration date (June 30) will Cancel-Non Renewable and you will need to reapply.. *Reinstate – $1,000 late filing fee + the renewal fee for each license you are reinstating. Pawn Shops may only opt in/out to license their Pawn Employees through the OCCC during the renewal period. [...] Annual Reports: Annual Report – due July 31.
Full Breakdown
Texas Finance Code Sections 371.051 through 371.260 license and regulate pawnbrokers. Each Harris County storefront needs its own OCCC license with $5,000 surety bond, owners must pass background checks, and statewide rate caps tier monthly fees by loan amount. Pawnbrokers must hold pledged property for the loan term plus 30-day grace, total at least 60 days, before sale. Daily transaction reports flow to Harris County Sheriff and Houston Police via LeadsOnline. Harris County imposes no separate pawnbroker permit but Sheriff property crime detectives inspect records, and the County Attorney can pursue civil injunctions against unlicensed operators. Houston city zoning further restricts pawnshop locations within city limits.
Violations & Fines
Operating without an OCCC license is a third-degree felony under Section 371.180, exposing operators to two to ten years prison and $10,000 fines, plus OCCC civil penalties up to $1,000 per day and immediate cease-and-desist orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harris County license pawnshops?
How long can a Harris County pawnshop hold my item before selling it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harris County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Harris County to another location·View the Texas business licensing & operations overview
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