Montgomery County, MD Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- License issuer
- Office of Consumer Protection
- Who must license
- Dealers, officers, agents, employees
- License term
- 1 year, non-transferable
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine, Class A violation
- Revocation ground
- Theft/felony in past 7 years
Summary
Montgomery County requires a dealer's license from the Office of Consumer Protection before buying, selling, or brokering secondhand personal property, including online and pawn-type transactions.
A person must not conduct the business of a dealer unless the person possesses a dealer's license issued by the Office of Consumer Protection, which must be displayed to the public wherever the person conducts the business of a dealer. An individual must not act as officer, employee or agent, and in that capacity engage in transactions involving secondhand personal property, for a person required to be licensed by this Chapter unless the person possesses a valid and current dealer's license. (1981 L.M.C., ch. 27, § 1; 1983 L.M.C., ch. 28, § 1; 1996 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1; 2005_L.M.C.,_ch._26, § 1.) Editor’s note—2005 L.M.C., ch. 26, §§ 2 and 3, state:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
County Code Chapter 44A requires anyone who buys, receives, or resells secondhand personal property in Montgomery County, including online dealers, pawn-style buyers, and businesses using reverse vending ('automated purchasing') machines, to hold a dealer's license issued by the Office of Consumer Protection, displayed where the business operates. Individuals, corporate officers, and partners acting for a dealer must also be licensed. The Office of Consumer Protection can refuse, suspend, or revoke a license for chapter violations, a revoked out-of-state license, or a theft/felony conviction within the past seven years. Licenses expire annually and cannot be transferred.
Violations & Fines
Operating as an unlicensed dealer, or violating any Chapter 44A licensing rule, is a Class A violation: up to a $1,000 criminal fine or a $500-$750 civil penalty, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to a residential yard sale?
How long does a dealer's license last?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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