Fauquier County, VA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Record retention
- At least 24 months
- Bill of sale to Sheriff
- Within 24 hours of purchase
- Mandatory hold period
- 15 calendar days before resale
- Bond or letter of credit
- $10,000 to Board of Supervisors
- First-offense penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 6 months jail
- License bar
- Felony/moral turpitude conviction within 7 years
Summary
Anyone buying coins, precious metals or gems in unincorporated Fauquier County must get a Commissioner of the Revenue license, keep a detailed 24-month purchase log, verify photo ID on every seller, and hold each purchased item at least 15 days before resale under County Code Sec. 12-5.
(a)Coverage. ... Each person conducting or engaging in any business, occupation or trade of coin, precious metals or gem dealers. ... The record of each such purchase shall be retained by the dealer for not less than twenty-four (24) months. ... The information required by this section shall appear on each bill of sale for all precious metals and gems purchased by a dealer, and a copy shall be delivered within twenty-four (24) hours of the time of purchase to the sheriff of the county. ... (e)Dealer to retain purchases. The dealer shall retain all precious metals or gems purchased for a minimum of fifteen (15) calendar days from the date on which a copy of the bill of sale is received by the sheriff of the county. ... (k)Penalties. Any person convicted of a first offense of violating any of the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment for a period of not more than six (6) months or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Full Breakdown
Section 12-5 covers every person conducting the business of a coin, precious metals or gem dealer. Dealers must keep an accurate record of each purchase for at least 24 months, describing the item, its weight or carat, the price paid, and the seller's name, address, age, sex, race, driver's license or social security number, and vehicle license number. A copy of each bill of sale must reach the Sheriff of Fauquier County within 24 hours of purchase, and the Sheriff or any law enforcement officer may inspect a dealer's premises and records during regular business hours.
Dealers cannot buy from a seller without confirming identity through a government-issued photo ID plus one other corroborating ID, and cannot buy from anyone under 18 or anyone the dealer believes is not the true owner. Purchased items must be held unaltered and unsold for 15 calendar days after the bill of sale reaches the Sheriff. To get licensed, a dealer files an application with fingerprints and background information with the Commissioner of the Revenue; a felony or crime of moral turpitude conviction within the prior seven years bars issuance.
Dealers must also post a $10,000 bond or letter of credit to the Board of Supervisors, and have their weighing devices inspected and approved by weights and measures officials before a license issues.
Violations & Fines
A first offense under Sec. 12-5 draws a fine of up to $500, up to six months imprisonment, or both. A subsequent offense draws a fine of up to $1,000, up to twelve months imprisonment, or both. A first conviction lets the Commissioner of the Revenue revoke the dealer's license for one full year, and a second conviction makes revocation mandatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I resell a gold ring the same day I buy it?
What ID must I collect from a seller?
What happens if I don't get a dealer license first?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fauquier County
Compare Fauquier County to another location·View the Virginia business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.