Bloomington, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Chapter 32 of the Bloomington City Code regulates auctioneers, junk dealers, and secondhand dealers. Section 32-102 requires anyone engaging in that business to first obtain a license from the City Clerk, and a license issues to a person who sells or intends to sell secondhand goods from a fixed location for more than 15 consecutive days in a calendar year. The chapter's definitions in Section 32-101 sweep broadly: a "junk dealer" keeps a junk store or junkyard buying and selling rags, old rope, iron, brass, copper, and similar items, while a "secondhand dealer" is anyone who regularly buys, sells, or deals in used goods of any kind.

Section 32-102 carves out several exemptions from licensing, including bona fide estate liquidators and executors, and sellers of vehicles, mobile homes, boats, books, trading cards, clothing, coins, stamps, antiques, works of art, records, appliances, and furniture. Garage, patio, and residence sales are exempted from Chapter 32 entirely and instead fall under Section 44-405A of the zoning code. No licensee may deal in firearms without first securing the proper federal firearms license. Under Section 32-103, applicants and their employees must submit two forms of identification, a mug shot, fingerprints, and a criminal background check; anyone convicted of a felony or a theft, retail theft, or deception misdemeanor is barred from holding or working under the license unless the conviction is at least five years old and the City Clerk finds sufficient rehabilitation.

A license can be suspended, revoked, or denied renewal by the City Manager for violations of the chapter or other laws. Violations of Chapter 32 are fined $250 to $2,000 per offense under Section 32-115, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense.