Fort Wayne, IN Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Reporting
- Daily electronic reports to FWPD
- Hold period
- 7 business-day retention hold
- Documentation
- Photo required for precious items
- Buyer restriction
- No purchases from buyers under 18
- Penalty
- Fine up to $2,500 per violation
Summary
Fort Wayne requires secondhand dealers to report every purchase, sale, and exchange to the Police Department daily, photograph precious-metal items, verify seller ID, and hold acquired property for a set period before resale.
Second hand dealers shall submit to the Fort Wayne Police Department each business day, all required data set forth by Fort Wayne Police Department regarding all second hand articles purchased, sold, or exchanged by that business during the preceding 24-hour period of operation. The data shall be submitted using the Records Management System used by the Fort Wayne Police Department to record said data.
(B) In addition to submitting the data required under division (A) to the Fort Wayne Police Department, second hand dealers shall photograph all precious metals or stones received as part of any transaction. Said photograph(s) shall be of clear resolution, and shall either be retained and preserved on the business premises of such pawn shop owner, second hand dealer, or precious metal dealer for a period of one year from the date of the transaction, or, shall be included in the transaction information submitted to the Fort Wayne Police Department using the Records Management System used by the Fort Wayne Police Department to record said data. Any data stored on-site at a pawn shop, second hand dealer, or precious metal dealer shall be made available to the Fort Wayne Police Department upon request.
(C) Proper documentation of the person pledging/pawning and/or selling materials. A person pledging/pawning or selling must provide identifying information including, but not limited to:
(1) Legal Name;
(2) Date of Birth;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances Chapter 115 covers secondhand dealers alongside licensed valuable-metal, precious-metals, and pawn shop dealers. Under § 115.61, secondhand dealers must submit daily electronic transaction reports to the Fort Wayne Police Department covering every purchase, sale, or exchange from the preceding 24 hours, photograph any precious metals or stones received, and record the seller's name, date of birth, physical description, and address from a state-issued ID. Section 115.63 requires holding acquired property intact for at least seven business days after reporting, extending to 30 days if law enforcement flags a claim. Section 115.64 bars purchases from anyone under 18, visibly intoxicated, or reasonably believed to be selling stolen goods.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 115's recordkeeping, reporting, or purchase restrictions is punishable under § 115.99 by a fine of up to $2,500 per offense, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city license to open a secondhand store in Fort Wayne?
How long must a Fort Wayne secondhand dealer hold items before reselling?
What buyers can Fort Wayne secondhand dealers not do business with?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
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