Merced County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Merced County Code Section 6.44.020 makes it unlawful to engage in the business of secondhand dealer, as defined in Section 6.44.010, without first obtaining a license under Section 6.44.030. The Sheriff grants a license to an applicant who has not been convicted of attempting to receive stolen property or any offense involving stolen property, but must first submit the application to the California Department of Justice; if DOJ does not comment within 30 days, the Sheriff may issue the license using state-prescribed forms available at the Sheriff's office.

Licenses run one year from issuance and renew annually on payment of a Board-set renewal fee (Section 6.44.040(A)). A license can be forfeited, and the dealer's activity enjoined, for operating outside the licensed building, failing to display the license conspicuously, dealing in secondhand goods with a minor, violating any provision of the chapter, or being convicted of a stolen-property offense (Section 6.44.040(B)). Every secondhand dealer outside any town or city, including dealers in used automobiles, parts, and accessories, junk dealers, and public auction yards, must keep a record of every article sold, pledged, or purchased, open to inspection by any peace officer or the district attorney during business hours, and mail the original or a copy to the Sheriff's office in Merced every Monday; articles must be held seven days after mailing before resale, and the record must show the date, the seller's name, address, and signature, the pawn ticket number, the amount paid or loaned, a full description of the item including any serial numbers or markings, and the license plate of the vehicle used by the person selling or pledging it (Section 6.44.070).