Franklin, TN Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration
- Required with Franklin police chief
- Holding period
- 7 days before resale/alteration
- Recordkeeping
- Duplicate log book, every item
- Exempt
- Coin dealers only
- Penalty
- Daily fine per violation
Summary
Franklin requires anyone who buys or resells used jewelry, precious stones, or scrap metal to register with the police chief, hold every item seven days, and log each transaction.
It shall be the duty of all persons, firms or corporations located within the corporate limits of the City of Franklin who deal in the purchase, sale or exchange of antique, used, or scrap jewelry or any precious stones or metals, or any valuable metals such as copper, brass, aluminum, and the like, for the purpose of resale of any item in original form or as changed by remounting, melting, reforming, remolding or recasting, or for resale as scrap or in bulk, to register with the Chief of Police of the City of Franklin, Tennessee. The provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to (a) any person, firm or corporation purchasing or otherwise dealing solely in the coin business; or (b) any transaction between dealers when the selling dealer has previously complied with the requirements described in sections 9-802 and 9-803.
(1976 Code, § 5-801; Ord. No. 2010-54, § I, 8-10-2010)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 30 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City code title 9, chapter 8 requires every dealer in antique, used, or scrap jewelry, precious stones, or valuable metals like copper, brass, or aluminum to register with the Franklin chief of police before doing business (§ 9-801). Purchased items can't be sold, altered, melted, or removed from the shop for seven full days after purchase (§ 9-802). Dealers must also keep a duplicate log recording each item's description, purchase date and price, the seller's name, address, age, sex, race, and driver's license number, and both signatures (§ 9-803). Coin dealers are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Violating registration, the 7-day hold, or the log-book duty draws a fine under the city's fee schedule; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense (§ 9-804).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to buy used jewelry or scrap gold in Franklin?
How long must I hold purchased jewelry before reselling it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin
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