Conroe, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- License fee
- $250.00 per year
- Required bond
- $5,000.00 per license
- Public purchase hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. only
- Record retention
- 3 years for transaction records
- Video retention
- 1 year per recording
- Issuing authority
- Chief of Police
Summary
Conroe requires anyone buying scrap metal or wiring from the public to hold a police-issued metal recycling license, post a $5,000 bond, buy from the public only between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and keep photo ID, thumbprint and video records of every transaction for years.
Sec. 18-352. - License required; posting. A person may not act as a metal recycling entity or represent to the public that the person is a metal recycling entity unless the person has a valid metal recycling business license issued under this article. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place upon the licensed premises. ... Sec. 18-355. - License fee, term and renewal. The fee for issuance of a metal recycling business license is $250.00. A license shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance and shall be subject to annual renewal. ... Sec. 18-357. - Purchasing regulated materials from the general public. A metal recycling entity may not purchase regulated materials from the general public except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85).
Full Breakdown
001(7), layering city rules on top of the state Metal Recycling Entities Act without conflicting with it. Section 18-352 makes it unlawful to act as, or hold out as, a metal recycling entity without a valid city license posted conspicuously on the premises. Section 18-353 requires a $5,000 bond per license from a state-authorized surety, running to the city for anyone with a claim under the article. Applicants apply to the chief of police under Section 18-354 with identifying information, business location, hours of operation, criminal history disclosure and photo ID proving they're at least 18; the chief must deny an application that's materially false or filed by someone whose license was revoked in the prior year.
00, valid one year with annual renewal. m. Section 18-358 bars buying from a minor unless a parent consents in writing, aluminum cans excepted, with consent kept on file three years. Section 18-359 requires a detailed transaction record for each purchase, including a thumbprint, seller photo ID, vehicle and plate photo, and item origin, retained three years. Section 18-360 requires video recording of every transaction, kept one year, and Section 18-361 opens records to inspection by state peace officers during business hours.
Violations & Fines
The chief of police may revoke or suspend a metal recycling license for any violation of the article or applicable state law, including failure to keep required records, after written notice and a hearing under Section 18-356. A licensee may appeal to the city administrator in writing within 20 days; that decision is final. Criminal prosecution can proceed alongside, or instead of, revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours can a metal recycler in Conroe buy scrap from the public?
Can a recycler buy scrap metal from a minor?
What records must a Conroe metal recycler keep on every purchase?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Conroe
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Conroe to another location·View the Texas business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.