Fresno County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

24 of the Fresno County Code covers junk dealers, secondhand dealers, used goods dealers, itinerant dealers, and flea market operators in the unincorporated county. 010 defines a secondhand dealer as anyone whose business includes buying, selling, trading, taking in pawn, accepting for consignment, or auctioning secondhand tangible personal property, so pawnbrokers fall under this same license rather than a separate pawn license. 020 makes it unlawful to engage in any of these businesses without first obtaining a license, though a dealer handling more than one category may apply for a single combination license.

030 exempts farm implement dealers, used auto dealers and dismantlers buying only from other fixed dealers, sales at a licensed flea market, recapped tire sales, farm produce and animal auctions, roadside recycling collection, and occasional garage sales limited to six per year. 5. The sheriff fingerprints and photographs each applicant and investigates character within ten days, and public works and planning confirms proper zoning. 050, the license collector must refuse the license on an adverse report, but the applicant may appeal to the board of supervisors within ten days.

080, except secondhand dealer licenses, which renew every other year. 120 require dealers to keep an English-language written record of every purchase, including the seller's description, signature, and driver's license number, with weekly invoice copies sent to the sheriff and retained two years. 130 lets the sheriff order any item held for five days before resale.