Woodland, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Woodland licenses pawnbrokers under Article 2 of Municipal Code Chapter 5.24, alongside recyclers, junk dealers and secondhand dealers. Section 5.24.120 makes it unlawful to act as a pawnbroker without first applying for and receiving a City license, valid for one year from issuance. The written application, filed with the Police Department, must state the applicant's name, age and prior addresses, business history in the trade, and, for a partnership or corporation, its officers and partners (§ 5.24.130(A)). Where applicable, the applicant must attach proof of a current California Weighmaster License under Business and Professions Code Sections 12703 and 12733 and display it prominently at each business location, and must acknowledge, in bold type on the application, having read Penal Code Section 496a, the receiving-stolen-property statute.

The City may also require fingerprints and photographs of every employee engaged in managing the business or buying articles (§ 5.24.130(B)). The application is referred to the Planning and Community Development and Environmental Resources Departments for a compliance investigation, which they must complete within 60 days (§ 5.24.130(C)). An annual license fee of $150.00 covers the Police Department's applicant review and daily transaction review (§ 5.24.140). A license may be suspended or revoked for a false statement, a chapter violation, fraudulent or dangerous conduct, or conduct contrary to public health, safety or welfare (§ 5.24.160), and the City may revoke a license outright, without a hearing, once the licensee is convicted in any court of a law related to the pawnbroking business (§ 5.24.170). Appeals from a denial, suspension or revocation follow the procedure in § 5.04.030(E).