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Union County, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

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

Key Facts

State law adopted
G.S. ch. 66, art. 45, pt. 1
Recording duty
Photo/video of seller + pledged property (§10-53)
Upload schedule
Every regular workday; 48 hrs for precious metals (§10-54)
Penalty
Class 3 misdemeanor, up to $500 fine
Territorial reach
Unincorporated county only (§10-57)

Summary

Union County adopts the state Pawnbrokers and Cash Converters Modernization Act and adds a local reporting duty: every pawnbroker and cash converter must photograph or video each seller and the property they pawn, then electronically upload it and their transaction records to the Sheriff's Office on a set schedule, under Sec. 10-51 through 10-54.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Union County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Every pawnbroker and every cash converter shall obtain a video or digital photograph of the seller or pledgor together with any property being delivered by the seller or pledgor. The video or photograph required by this section shall be of a quality that is sufficient to allow a person of ordinary faculties to identify the person recorded or photographed. The photograph or video shall be uploaded to the entity or electronic system designated by the Union County Sheriff's Office for receipt of the information on behalf of the Union County Sheriff's Office.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Sec. ch. 66, art. 45, part 1 into the county code. Sec. S. 66-427 exemptions for secondary metals recyclers. Sec. 10-53 requires every pawnbroker and cash converter to photograph or video each seller or pledgor together with the property being delivered, of a quality sufficient to identify the person, and upload it to a system designated by the Union County Sheriff's Office. Sec. S. S. S. S. 66-422 every regular workday (d). Sec. 10-55 clarifies this local reporting duty does not substitute for the state's recordkeeping, retention, disposal and ticketing requirements; businesses remain independently responsible, and reliance on the county's system for anything beyond the electronic transfer itself is at their own risk. Sec. 10-57 limits the article's reach to parts of the county outside any municipality's corporate limits.

Violations & Fines

Sec. 10-56(1) makes a violation a Class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 and imprisonment in the court's discretion, with each day a continuing violation exists after the sheriff's notification treated as a separate offense. Sec. 10-56(2) also lets the county seek an equitable remedy from the general court of justice, including mandatory or prohibitory injunctions and orders of abatement, under G.S. 153A-123.

Frequently Asked Questions

What extra duty does Union County place on pawnshops beyond state law?
The county requires every pawnbroker and cash converter to take a video or digital photograph of the seller or pledgor and the property being pawned, "of a quality that is sufficient to allow a person of ordinary faculties to identify the person," and upload it to a Sheriff's Office-designated system, per Sec. 10-53.
How often must a pawnshop send its records to the sheriff?
Pawnbrokers and cash converters must electronically upload the information required by state law each regular workday, per Sec. 10-54(a)-(b). Precious metals dealers have a tighter window: their required filings must go up within 48 hours of every precious metal transaction, under Sec. 10-54(c).
What's the penalty for violating Union County's pawnbroker ordinance?
It's a Class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 and imprisonment at the court's discretion, per Sec. 10-56(1). Each day a violation continues after the sheriff's notice counts as a separate offense, and the county can also seek an injunction under G.S. 153A-123.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Union County

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All Union County rules

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