Winter Haven, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Section 9-152 makes it unlawful to conduct business as a pawnbroker, junk dealer or secondhand dealer without first obtaining a permit under Chapter 9, Article VI. Section 9-153 requires the applicant to file with the finance officer, disclosing name and age, or for a partnership or corporation the names and ages of partners, directors, trustees and the president or managing officer, plus the business location. Section 9-154 routes every application to the police department for a background investigation before the finance officer acts, and Section 9-156 conditions issuance on the applicant being a law-abiding person of good moral character, with the permit lapsing every year at midnight on the following September 30.

A denial can be appealed to the city commission under Section 9-155. Once operating, Section 9-158 requires a daily register recording an accurate description, including name, age, sex, color, nationality and residence, of every person from whom property is purchased, received or pawned, plus a description of the article including any marks or engravings. Section 9-159 requires a full transcript of the prior day's register be furnished to the chief of police by noon each day, and Section 9-160 bars resale of any pawned or purchased item until ten days have elapsed from the date that transcript reached the chief of police, giving police a window to identify stolen property.

Section 9-162 requires written consent from a vehicle's owner or the city department involved before buying goods from a city, contractor or transfer-company driver, and Section 9-163 bars lending to or buying from minors absent parental written consent.