Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 regulates secondhand dealers and crafted-precious-metal dealers, requiring registration with local police, transaction reporting, holding periods, and seller identification; Austin Police Department administers compliance for Austin merchants.
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 governs every Austin secondhand dealer in jewelry, electronics, tools, instruments, and crafted precious metals. Dealers must register with APD, photograph or thumbprint sellers, record government identification, and submit electronic transaction reports daily through the LeadsOnline system. A seven-day hold applies to gold and silver, and longer holds may apply if APD issues a hold notice on suspected stolen goods. Out-of-state purchases and pawn redemptions follow distinct rules. Records must be retained for at least one year. Antique dealers, charitable thrift stores, and farmers selling produce are exempt. Austin's Pawn and Secondhand Detail audits dealers and serves hold notices in active theft investigations.
Failure to register, missed reports, or sales during a hold are class A misdemeanors under Section 1956.301, up to one year jail and $4,000 fine, plus forfeiture of stolen merchandise and APD registration revocation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 establishes citywide quiet hours from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, during which sound plainly audible across a property line in resident...
Austin, TX
Austin enforces Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683 and Austin City Code Chapter 12-5: a vehicle on public right-of-way is abandoned if inoperable for more...
Austin, TX
Austin Land Development Code Chapter 25-2 Subchapter F caps residential fences at 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in front yards without a permit. C...
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 3-4 requires dogs in public to be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limited exceptions for designated off-leash area...
Austin, TX
Consumer fireworks are illegal to possess, use, or sell within Austin city limits. Violations can carry fines up to $2,000. Permits are issued only for profe...
Austin, TX
Austin imposes no general restriction on year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private residential property. The sign code (LDC 25-10...
See how Austin's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.