Chula Vista, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- License issuer
- Director of Finance
- License term
- 2 years
- Daily report deadline
- Before 10:00 a.m.
- Resale hold period
- 30 days (7 with approval)
- Minimum buyer age
- 18 years
Summary
Secondhand dealers in Chula Vista must hold a two-year Finance Director license backed by police approval, report daily transactions to police, and hold purchased goods unaltered for 30 days before resale.
It is unlawful for any pawnbroker or secondhand dealer to sell or otherwise dispose of any article, merchandise or object within 30 days... or to fail to keep such article, merchandise or object unaltered, as pledged or purchased, in lots separate and apart from other articles... except upon the approval of the Chief of Police; provided, however, that junk dealers, collectors, and secondhand dealers may, upon approval of the Chief of Police, sell or otherwise dispose of any such items within seven days.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3623, passed May 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
020(F) defines a secondhand dealer as any person buying, selling or dealing in secondhand goods, wares and merchandise, excluding used car dealers and dealers in secondhand books, magazines or clothing. 030 requires the same application: home and business address, business description, photo, fingerprints, and disclosure of any stolen-property convictions, subject to denial if the Chief finds the business would harm public health, safety or welfare. 060, time of purchase, article description including any serial numbers, and the seller's name and address. 090: a secondhand dealer cannot sell or dispose of any purchased article for 30 days from the date of purchase, and must keep it unaltered and segregated from other stock during that hold period, except with Chief of Police approval, though junk dealers, collectors and secondhand dealers may get approval to shorten that to seven days. 080 makes it unlawful to give a fictitious name on any transaction report.
Violations & Fines
Operating as a secondhand dealer without the license required by CVMC 5.38.010, failing to file the daily transaction report required by CVMC 5.38.050, or reselling purchased merchandise before the 30-day hold period in CVMC 5.38.090 expires (without Chief of Police approval) are violations of Chapter 5.38 CVMC, subject to license suspension or revocation after hearing under CVMC 5.38.210 and 5.38.220.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must a Chula Vista secondhand dealer hold merchandise before reselling it?
Do Chula Vista secondhand dealers have to report their transactions to police?
Can a Chula Vista secondhand dealer buy from a minor?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chula Vista
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