Alhambra, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Director of Finance and Chief of Police
- License term
- Biennial, expires Dec. 31 of year two (§ 5.16.022(B))
- Fee basis
- Average gross receipts, prior two years (§ 5.16.042(A))
- Renewal fee
- Extra DOJ-regulation processing fee (§ 5.16.042(B))
- Threshold
- Two or more used-goods sales per month (§ 5.16.010)
- Hold period
- 30 days before resale or disposal (§ 5.16.160)
Summary
Alhambra treats a secondhand dealer as anyone making two or more used-goods sales in a calendar month, and requires a biennial city license priced off the business's average gross receipts for the prior two years, plus a state-mandated processing fee at every renewal.
SECONDHAND DEALER. A person, other than an antique dealer, as that term is defined in this section, engaged in, conducting, managing or carrying on the business of buying, selling or otherwise dealing in previously used goods, wares or merchandise, other than motor vehicles, trailers or boats, and making two or more sales of such second-hand goods, wares or merchandise during any one calendar month regardless of whether or not such business and such sales are carried on in connection with a regular retail or other business. ... (A) The biennial license fee for a secondhand dealer shall be based upon the average of the gross receipts for the preceding two years of such business and shall be computed, levied and collected pursuant to the provisions set forth in Chapter 5.04 of this title. (B) An additional processing fee in an amount established by City Council resolution pursuant to United States Department of Justice regulations shall be charged to each second-hand dealer at the time of each license renewal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 4851, passed 10-27-25).
Full Breakdown
010 defines a SECONDHAND DEALER as a person other than an antique dealer who buys, sells or deals in previously used goods, other than motor vehicles, trailers or boats, and makes two or more such sales in any one calendar month, whether or not tied to a regular retail business. 022(B) sets the license to expire on December 31 of the second year after issuance. Every renewal also carries an additional processing fee, set by City Council resolution under United States Department of Justice regulations.
030 process as pawnbrokers: written to the Director of Finance, forwarded to the Chief of Police for a character investigation, and barred for anyone convicted of receiving stolen goods, robbery or burglary. 050.
Violations & Fines
Dealing in secondhand goods without the required license is unlawful under § 5.16.020, and an unpaid license fee draws a penalty computed under § 5.04.192 via § 5.16.024. A dealer who fails to mail daily buy-forms to the Chief of Police, who signs or accepts a fictitious name on a buy-form, or who resells purchased goods before the 30-day hold in § 5.16.160 expires is in violation regardless of whether a license is otherwise current.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes someone a secondhand dealer under Alhambra's code?
How often does an Alhambra secondhand dealer license renew?
Is there an extra fee on top of the license charge?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alhambra
California rules heatmap·Compare Alhambra to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Secondhand Dealers in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle secondhand dealers.