Marion, OH Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Chapter 756 of the Marion Codified Ordinances regulates secondhand dealers. Section 756.01 defines a secondhand dealer as a person operating a store, shop or other business outlet to purchase, sell, exchange or receive secondhand articles, and a secondhand article as any item previously used or worn by another, including jewelry, coins, gold, silver, platinum or other precious metals, stones or gems in any form. Under § 756.02, anyone wishing to operate applies to the office of the Safety/Service Director for a permit before conducting any business. The permit is displayed in a conspicuous place on the permit premises and is valid only for the person named and the address described on it. It cannot be sold or transferred. The chapter prints no permit fee.

Record-keeping is detailed. Section 756.03 requires a legible English-language book entry at the time of each purchase or exchange, giving a description of the item, the date, the amount paid per item, and the seller's name, address, social security number and driver's license or Ohio identification number. A watch needs the movement number, case number and maker or brand name, and jewelry, gold or silver needs all identifying letters or marks. Entries are numbered consecutively starting at 1, written in permanent type ink, and each item carries a tag with the matching number.

Under § 756.04 the dealer delivers a copy of a complete description of each article purchased the previous day to the Chief of Police by 12:00 noon on the Division of Police form. Section 756.05 requires articles to stay within the municipality for at least 120 hours and not be altered without Division of Police permission. Section 756.06 bars operating between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The Mayor, Safety/Service Director, Chief of Police and any authorized police officer can inspect the books and demand to see listed articles (§ 756.07). Under § 756.09 a dealer cannot acquire items from a minor, a habitual drunkard, a known thief or receiver of stolen property, or anyone the dealer has reason to suspect is one.