Compton, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- License authority
- City Council approval required
- Fingerprints
- Owner + public-facing staff
- Buy-Form deadline
- Within 3 hours of closing
- Record retention
- 2 years for police inspection
- Furniture exemption
- Excludes serial-numbered items
- Business hours
- Closed 7 p.m.-8 a.m. weekdays
Summary
Compton requires every secondhand dealer to obtain a City Council-approved license before buying, selling or dealing in used goods, and to furnish fingerprints for the owner and every employee who deals with the public under § 9-19.2. Once licensed, dealers must file a daily Buy-Form, hold items and observe fixed business hours under the same Chapter 9-19 scheme covering pawnbrokers, junk dealers and auto wreckers.
Before engaging in any of the businesses defined in this section, the person proposing to enter into or conduct any such business shall obtain the license so to do required by this section, and in addition thereto, such licensee shall be subject to each and all of the terms, conditions, and provisions of this section. No such license shall be granted until an application has been filed with and approved by the Council. Such application shall include a statement of all other locations, within and without the City, where the applicant is conducting similar businesses. Applicants shall furnish the fingerprints of all persons, including the applicant, who will be active in dealing with the public in connection with the proposed business.
Full Breakdown
1), and folds that business into the same Chapter 9-19 licensing scheme that covers pawnbrokers, junk dealers and auto wreckers. 2 requires a City Council-approved license before opening, an application disclosing every other location where the applicant runs a similar business, and fingerprints of the owner and everyone who will deal with the public. 7); the licensee keeps a duplicate on file for at least two years for police inspection. 14 bars acquiring goods from anyone under 18. 25(b) exempts secondhand dealers specifically from the withholding and Buy-Form rules when selling ordinary household furniture, but that exemption does not extend to sewing machines, televisions, radios, musical instruments, typewriters or any item carrying a manufacturer's serial number, which still must be reported and held.
m. m. 3 for a false statement on the application, a felony or moral-turpitude conviction, fraud, or conduct contrary to public peace, health, safety and welfare.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a license, dealing with a minor, or skipping the Buy-Form and holding requirements is enforced under the City's general misdemeanor penalty, § 1-6.2, carrying a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day treated as a separate offense under § 1-6.4. The Council can additionally revoke the dealer's license under § 9-19.3 for the same conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Compton require a special license for secondhand or used-goods stores?
Do secondhand dealers have to report their purchases to police?
Is used furniture exempt from Compton's secondhand dealer reporting rules?
What are the penalties for an unlicensed secondhand dealer in Compton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Compton
California rules heatmap·Compare Compton to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
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