Waukesha, WI Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

03 defines a pawnbroker as anyone who lends money against the deposit or pledge of an article or jewelry, or who buys articles or jewelry under an agreement to sell them back later at a set price, and bars operating as one without a City pawnbroker's license. Applicants apply to the City Clerk with their name, birthplace, residence history, and, for a corporation or partnership, the names of every officer, director or partner, plus a disclosure of any felony or relevant misdemeanor conviction in the preceding 10 years; the Police Department investigates every application and reports its findings in writing.

The Common Council grants the license only if the applicant has no disqualifying conviction and, specific to pawnbrokers, has posted a bond of $500 with at least two sureties covering compliance with municipal pawnbroker ordinances. The annual license fee is $210, running from July 1 to the following June 30 and non-transferable. Once licensed, a pawnbroker must check photo identification, such as a driver's license, state or county ID, military ID or passport, on every transaction, may not deal with a minor unless a parent or guardian is present or has given written consent, and must electronically report every purchased or received article to the Waukesha Police Department within 24 hours using a City-approved program, or hand-deliver printed reports by noon the next business day if the system fails.

Pawned or purchased goods must then be held unaltered for at least 7 days after that report is filed, during which police may inspect the item or order it held longer if there is reason to believe it was not sold by its rightful owner. 03 draws a forfeiture of $50 to $1,000; a second or later offense draws $500 to $2,000.