Wausau, WI Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- License issuer
- Wausau City Clerk
- Bond required
- $2,500 with 2+ sureties
- Redemption period
- Minimum 60 days
- Transaction fee
- $1.50 per billable transaction
- License term
- July 1 to June 30
- First-offense forfeiture
- $50 to $1,000
- Repeat-offense forfeiture
- $500 to $2,000
Summary
Wausau licenses pawnbrokers through the City Clerk under Wausau Municipal Code ch. 5.52, requiring a $2,500 surety bond and daily electronic transaction reports to the Police Department before anyone may lend against pledged property in the city, and pledgers get a minimum 60-day window to redeem an item.
Pawnbroker means any person who engages in the business of lending money on the deposit or pledge of any article or purchasing any article with an expressed or implied agreement or understanding to sell it back at a subsequent time at a stipulated price. ... (b)The applicant provides to the City Clerk a bond of $2,500.00 with not less than two sureties for the observation of all municipal ordinances or state or federal laws relating to pawn and secondhand article and secondhand jewelry dealers. ... Any person pledging, pawning or depositing an item for security must have a minimum of 60 days from the date of that transaction to redeem the item before it may be forfeited and sold.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Adopted under the authority of Wis. 040). 060). 070(a)-(b)); licenses run annually from July 1 to June 30. 110). 190).
Violations & Fines
A first chapter 5.52 violation carries a forfeiture of $50 to $1,000 plus prosecution costs; a second or later offense within the license period carries $500 to $2,000 plus costs, with each day of violation a separate offense (§ 5.52.210). Failing to transmit daily pawn transaction reports adds a $100-per-day penalty until corrected (§ 5.52.110(e)), and the Public Health and Safety Committee can suspend or revoke the license after a hearing (§ 5.52.190).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Wausau pawnshops have to report transactions to police?
How long must a Wausau pawnbroker hold an item before selling it?
What bond does Wausau require of a pawnbroker?
What's the penalty for running an unlicensed Wausau pawnshop?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wausau
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