Green Bay, WI Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- GBMC § 10-1 (adopts Wis. Stat. § 134.71)
- Secondhand article dealer fee
- $27.50
- Secondhand jewelry dealer fee
- $30.00
- Mall/flea market permit fee
- $165.00
- Pawnbroker license fee
- $210.00
- Licensing authority
- Common Council (not a designated officer)
- Default penalty
- $1.00-$500.00 forfeiture, § 1-6
Summary
Green Bay requires anyone dealing in secondhand articles, jewelry, or pawnbroking to hold a City license before opening, and folds Wisconsin's pawnbroker and secondhand dealer statute, Wis. Stat. § 134.71, directly into the municipal code. Fees run from $27.50 for a general secondhand article dealer permit up to $210.00 for a pawnbroker license, and licensing decisions rest with the Common Council rather than a single department head.
Sec. 10-1. - Pawnbrokers and secondhand article and jewelry dealers. Wis. Stats. § 134.71 is hereby adopted and, by reference, made a part of this chapter with the same force and effect as though fully set out herein. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a violation of this chapter, punishable according to the penalties set forth in Section 1-6. ... Sec. 10-20. - Issuance and revocation of licenses. (a)License or permit required. No person shall engage in any business or activity enumerated in Section 10-19, without a license or permit therefor as provided by this section. ...(b)Granting of licenses. The designated officer may issue the following licenses subject to the standards established by this chapter without prior approval of the Council. All other licenses shall be granted by the Council, unless otherwise designated. ...(5)Secondhand dealers.
Full Breakdown
Section 10-1 adopts Wis. 71 by reference, giving it the same force as if written directly into Chapter 10, and makes any failure to comply with the chapter a violation punishable under Section 1-6's general penalty provision. 00 per motor vehicle used in the trade. Section 10-20 splits licensing authority: most business licenses in the chapter can be issued by a 'designated officer' (the City Clerk, often paired with Police Chief or Planner approval) without going to the Council first, but secondhand dealer licenses are not on that designated-officer list, meaning they go to the Common Council for a vote like any license not otherwise assigned.
Before any license issues, Section 10-20(c) requires the applicant to be current on personal property taxes, room taxes, and any other claims or judgments owed to the City, and a denial on that basis can be appealed to the Common Council with a hearing before the Finance Committee, including a refund with passbook interest if the City erred.
Violations & Fines
Because Section 10-1 sets no penalty of its own, a violation, operating without the license, or failing to comply with the adopted Wis. Stat. § 134.71 recordkeeping and reporting requirements, is punishable under Section 1-6's general forfeiture: not less than $1.00 nor more than $500.00 per offense, rising to $10.00-$500.00 for a repeat violation, with no jail time except for nonpayment of the forfeiture itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What law governs secondhand dealers in Green Bay?
How much does a secondhand dealer license cost?
Who approves a secondhand dealer license, the Clerk or the Council?
Can the City deny my license over unpaid taxes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Green Bay
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