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Gulfport, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Clothing dealers fee
$60.00 per year
Other commodity dealers fee
$80.00 per year
License required before opening
Under § 13-2
License year begins
October 1 annually
Max penalty
$500 fine or 60 days

Summary

Secondhand stores in Gulfport need a city occupational license before opening, priced by what they sell: $60.00 a year for clothing dealers and $80.00 for dealers in any other secondhand commodity. The fee schedule keeps true secondhand stores separate from junk dealers, a different license category entirely.

Junk dealers: Any person buying and selling junk, waste and used materials; provided, however, this definition shall not include duly licensed wrecking yards or secondhand stores duly licensed as such under the provisions of this chapter when such secondhand stores confine their sales to household furnishings or the sale of wearing apparel. ... (281)Secondhand Stores: ... ..(a)Dealers in clothing ... ..60.00(b)Dealers in all other commodities ... ..80.00

Full Breakdown

00. Like every other occupational license in Chapter 13, Section 13-2 makes it unlawful to operate a secondhand store within the city without first obtaining the license and paying the fee in advance of doing business, and the license year begins October 1 under Section 13-9, with Section 13-10 barring any license term shorter than six months. Section 13-14 requires the license be conspicuously displayed at the store at all times, and a police officer or authorized inspector may demand to see it on request.

The City Council may revoke a secondhand dealer's license for cause under Section 13-13 following a certified-mail notice at least fifteen days before a hearing at which the dealer may contest the revocation.

Violations & Fines

Running a secondhand or junk store without the required license violates Chapter 13 and is punishable under Section 13-33's reference to the Code's general penalty, Section 1-6: a fine up to $500.00, up to 60 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of unlicensed operation charged as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do secondhand stores in Gulfport need a city license?
Yes. Section 13-2 requires an occupational license for any business the Code covers, and Section 13-34, item (281), lists 'Secondhand Stores' specifically, charging $60.00 a year for clothing dealers and $80.00 for dealers in other secondhand commodities. The license must be obtained and paid before opening and displayed on-site afterward.
Is a secondhand store the same as a junk dealer under Gulfport's code?
No. Section 13-1(4) defines junk dealers as buyers and sellers of junk, waste and used materials, but expressly excludes secondhand stores that are separately licensed and confine sales to household furnishings or wearing apparel. Those stores fall under the Secondhand Stores fee category instead of the junk dealer license.
What happens if a secondhand dealer operates without a license?
It violates Chapter 13. Section 13-33 ties the penalty to the Code's general penalty section, § 1-6, allowing a fine up to $500.00, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with each additional day of unlicensed operation charged as a separate offense.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Gulfport

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