Hempstead, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Chapter 113 sets up three license types under § 113-3: a general license covering all secondhand articles except automobiles; a management license for someone who operates an antique or unique-goods exposition without dealing themselves; and an exposition license for an out-of-town antique dealer who wants to sell at a fair or show for up to one month. Section 113-4 sets the annual general or management license fee at $110 and the exposition license fee at $55, and requires a $2,000 surety bond approved by the Town Clerk for both a general licensee and an exposition manager.

General licenses expire every April 1 regardless of issue date and must be renewed yearly, are personal to the licensee and cannot be sold, assigned or transferred, and must be displayed conspicuously at the place of business. Applications go to the Town Clerk under § 113-5 and require the applicant's name, trade name filings, and local and legal address. Section 113-8 bars a dealer from reselling any secondhand article, other than one bought from another licensed dealer, until 15 business days after acquiring it, though licensed antique dealers may sell sooner if they keep the purchase-and-sale records required by § 113-11.

Section 113-7 requires reporting to the Nassau County Police Commissioner, and § 113-12 requires dealers to record the identity of the person from whom each purchase is made.