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

Ceres regulates junk dealers and scrap metal recyclers separately from general business licensing. Applicants apply to the Police Department, submit photographs and fingerprints of everyone managing the business, and prove they hold a current California Weighmaster License. The Community Development Department and Police Chief investigate and report to the City Manager within 60 days; the City Manager then grants or denies the permit within 20 days. Once operating, dealers must report all purchases and sales to the Police Department by noon the next business day, hold every article 30 days before resale, refuse purchases from sellers under 18, pay by check or draft (not cash) for amounts over $10, and stay closed between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Pawnbrokers, secondhand furniture merchants, used-car dealers, and secondhand clothing merchants are exempted.