Harris County, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- TX Occupations Ch. 1956
- Hold period
- Seven days minimum
- Seller ID
- Photo plus thumbprint required
- Reporting system
- LeadsOnline or BWI
- County permit
- None separately required
Summary
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 requires all crafted-precious-metal and secondhand jewelry, electronics, and tools dealers in Harris County to register with the Texas Department of Public Safety, hold purchases for at least seven days, photograph sellers, and upload transaction records to law-enforcement databases.
Sec. 1956.061. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS AND ORDINANCES. This subchapter does not:(1) excuse noncompliance with another state law or municipal ordinance covering the reporting, holding, or releasing of crafted precious metal;(2) prohibit a municipality from enacting, amending, or enforcing an ordinance relating to a dealer; or(3) supersede a municipal ordinance except to the extent the ordinance does not require reporting for transactions involving crafted precious metal. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1421, Sec. 4, eff. June 1, 2003. Sec. 1956.0611. RULEMAKING. The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce this subchapter. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1298 (H.B. 2490), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011.
Full Breakdown
Texas Occupations Code Sections 1956.001 to 1956.156 govern crafted precious metal dealers and used goods dealers in Harris County. Dealers must register with DPS, record seller name, address, identification number, photograph, thumbprint, and item description for each transaction, and hold purchased items for at least seven days before resale or melt. Records must be reported electronically to law enforcement, typically through the LeadsOnline or Business Watch International systems Harris County Sheriff and Houston Police use. Cities including Houston add their own pawn-and-secondhand-dealer registration with HPD. Harris County does not impose a separate dealer permit but Constable and Sheriff property crime units inspect records and pursue stolen-property cases.
Violations & Fines
Failure to register, falsifying transaction records, or selling within the seven-day hold period is a Class A misdemeanor under Section 1956.156, with civil forfeiture of unreported stock and license revocation by DPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must Harris County secondhand dealers hold purchases?
Do flea market vendors need to register?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harris County
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