Madera County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Permission required from
- Board of supervisors
- Background check by
- Sheriff's office
- Hold before resale
- 10 days, publicly displayed
- Record retention
- 2 years
- Business hours
- 6 a.m.-6 p.m. only
Summary
Junk and secondhand goods dealers in unincorporated Madera County need board of supervisors permission plus a sheriff background check, and must log and hold every item they buy.
All items or materials purchased, received or collected by junk dealers or secondhand dealers shall be held for a period of at least ten days, after report to the sheriff is made as required by Section 5.08.090, before the same shall be sold or otherwise disposed of, and such items or materials shall be exposed to public view, during business hours...until the expiration of ten days after report to the sheriff as otherwise provided herein.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 5.08 defines both 'junk dealer' and 'secondhand goods dealer' and requires anyone engaging in the county as a junk dealer to apply to the board of supervisors for permission to operate, with the sheriff investigating the applicant's background and character first (§§ 5.08.010, 5.08.020, 5.08.040). Once operating, every junk dealer and secondhand dealer must keep a triplicate written record of each transaction, including the seller's ID and thumbprint, retained for two years (§ 5.08.070); hold and publicly display purchased items for at least ten days before resale (§ 5.08.100); pay for scrap metal only by check, not cash (§ 5.08.110); and stay closed between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. and on Sundays and holidays (§ 5.08.120).
Violations & Fines
Operating without board permission, or violating the recordkeeping, hold-period, cash-payment, or hours rules, is punishable under the general penalty provisions of Chapter 1.12, and the board may revoke a dealer's permission after notice and hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a secondhand dealer in Madera County accept cash for scrap metal?
How long must a Madera County secondhand dealer hold purchased goods before reselling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
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