Pawnbrokers in Tampa must hold a Florida Pawnbroker License under FS Chapter 539, charge no more than 25 percent monthly service fees, report daily transactions, and obtain a Tampa business tax receipt before opening.
Florida Statute Chapter 539, the Florida Pawnbroking Act, governs every pawnshop in Tampa. Operators register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, post a $10,000 surety bond, and renew annually. Pawnbrokers may charge a 25 percent monthly service fee plus a 2 dollar origination fee, must hold pawned items for at least 30 days, and submit daily pawn slips to Tampa Police using approved electronic reporting. The city additionally requires a business tax receipt under Code Chapter 24 and zoning compliance under Chapter 27.
Operating unlicensed, exceeding rate caps, or omitting daily reports brings state license revocation, criminal charges under FS 539.001, and Tampa code enforcement fines plus business tax receipt suspension.
See how Tampa's pawnbrokers rules stack up against other locations.
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