Whitfield County, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual fee
- $25.00
- Approval authority
- Board of Commissioners
- Renewal deadline
- January 15 each year
- Records hold
- 30 days on pledged goods
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
Operating a pawnshop or working as a pawnbroker in unincorporated Whitfield County requires a Board of Commissioners-approved permit under Sec. 8-51 and 8-52. Applicants pay a $25 annual fee, undergo a sheriff's background check, and must renew by January 15 or the permit expires automatically.
It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to act as a pawnbroker or to operate a pawnshop in unincorporated Whitfield County without a current pawnbroker permit. It shall be unlawful for any pawnbroker or pawnshop to operate in violation of this article. ... (a)At any time after the effective date hereof, before commencing the operation of a pawnshop or before continuing the operation of a pawnshop, the owner must first file an application with the county clerk for a pawnbroker permit and obtain the approval of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners. Failure to approve or disapprove the permit application within 60 days of its filing with the county clerk shall be deemed an approval and the county clerk shall issue the permit upon request of the applicant and payment of the applicable fee;(b)No permit shall be issued until an annual fee in the amount of $25.00 is paid to the county clerk;
Full Breakdown
Whitfield County Code Chapter 8, Article V requires anyone acting as a pawnbroker or operating a pawnshop in the unincorporated county to hold a current permit (Sec. 8-51). Sec. 8-52 requires the owner to file an application with the county clerk and obtain Board of Commissioners approval before opening or continuing a pawnshop; if the county fails to act within 60 days, the application is deemed approved. 00 penalty to reinstate. Renewal is blocked if the applicant owes county taxes until they are paid. Applications must list each employee's and owner's name, address, phone number, date of birth and Social Security number, and the sheriff investigates every applicant and reports back to the clerk.
A denial must be in writing with reasons, and an applicant has ten business days to request a hearing before the Board of Commissioners, which must be held within 60 days and decided within 30 days of the hearing; missing either deadline is deemed an approval. Sec. 8-53 bars anyone convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, felony theft, burglary, robbery, dishonesty or a Family Violence Act violation from holding a permit or working in a pawnshop, and requires a criminal background check before employment.
Sec. 8-54 requires an electronic record of every pledge, trade or sale transmitted to the sheriff's department, and Sec. 8-55 requires a 30-day hold on pledged goods (seven days for non-pledged purchases) before resale.
Violations & Fines
A conviction for violating the pawnbroker article carries up to a $1,000.00 fine or 60 days in jail, or both, under Sec. 8-56, which cites O.C.G.A. § 36-1-20(b). The Magistrate Court can also suspend the pawnbroker permit for 30 days on a first violation, 60 days plus denial of renewal on a second violation within 12 months, or a full year's suspension and non-renewal on a third violation within five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approves a pawnbroker permit in Whitfield County?
How much does a Whitfield County pawnbroker permit cost?
How long must a pawnbroker hold pledged items before selling them?
What disqualifies someone from holding a pawnbroker permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whitfield County
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