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Lincoln, NE Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Permit issuer
City Clerk, $5,000 surety bond
Occupation tax
$25 per year
Seller ID
Fingerprint and ID required
Resale hold
14 days before resale
Permit term
June 1 to May 31, renewable

Summary

Lincoln requires secondhand jewelry and watch dealers to obtain a City Clerk permit, post a $5,000 bond, fingerprint sellers, and hold purchased items 14 days before resale.

It shall be unlawful for any person to purchase secondhand jewelry or secondhand watches in the regular course of business without first obtaining a permit therefor from the City Clerk; such permit shall be necessary in addition to any other required permit or license.

Source: Lincoln Municipal CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

Under Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 5.42, anyone buying secondhand jewelry or watches in the regular course of business must get a permit from the City Clerk, in addition to any other required license (§5.42.030). Applicants file a sworn application, submit fingerprints, and post a $5,000 surety bond (§5.42.050) before the City Clerk issues the permit, which runs June 1 to May 31 and renews annually. Dealers must fingerprint every seller, verify ID, keep detailed transaction records open to police inspection, and hold each purchased item 14 days before reselling, destroying, or altering it. A $25 annual occupation tax also applies.

Violations & Fines

Operating without a City Clerk permit, skipping the required seller fingerprint or ID check, or reselling an item before the 14-day hold expires is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine per violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this permit cover all secondhand stores in Lincoln?
No. Chapter 5.42 covers only secondhand jewelry and watch dealers; pawnbrokers and other secondhand goods are licensed under separate chapters of the Lincoln Municipal Code.
How long must a dealer hold purchased jewelry before reselling it?
Fourteen days. The dealer must be able to produce the item, or begin recovering it, at the Chief of Police's request during that period (§5.42.100).
Is there an annual cost beyond the bond and permit application?
Yes. Lincoln levies a $25 annual occupation tax on the business of secondhand dealing (§5.42.020), separate from the bond and application fee.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lincoln

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All Lincoln rules

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