Fresno, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Article 6 of Chapter 9 bars anyone from engaging in the pawnbroker or secondhand dealer business without a permit issued by the Police Chief (Sec. 9-607). Applicants file with the Chief of Police showing home and business address, a description of goods to be sold, a two-inch by two-inch photograph taken within sixty days, fingerprints, and a statement of prior convictions (Sec. 9-612); denials can be appealed to the Chief Administrative Officer under Chapter 1, Article 4. , listing each item purchased, the seller's description, and the vehicle license number, and keep a copy at the place of business open to police inspection at all times (Secs.

9-602, 9-603). All goods purchased must be held at least fifteen days, kept separate from other stock and exposed for police inspection during that period, before resale (Sec. 9-606). on Fridays, Saturdays, days before legal holidays, and during the twenty-four days preceding Christmas (Sec. 9-609). Donated goods are exempt from the reporting scheme, and a 2022 amendment (Ord. 2022-033) carved electronic resale, general retail, and large-format retail businesses out of the article entirely (Sec. 9-613).