Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 requires all crafted-precious-metal and secondhand jewelry, electronics, and tools dealers in Harris County to register with the Texas Department of Public Safety, hold purchases for at least seven days, photograph sellers, and upload transaction records to law-enforcement databases.
Texas Occupations Code Sections 1956.001 to 1956.156 govern crafted precious metal dealers and used goods dealers in Harris County. Dealers must register with DPS, record seller name, address, identification number, photograph, thumbprint, and item description for each transaction, and hold purchased items for at least seven days before resale or melt. Records must be reported electronically to law enforcement, typically through the LeadsOnline or Business Watch International systems Harris County Sheriff and Houston Police use. Cities including Houston add their own pawn-and-secondhand-dealer registration with HPD. Harris County does not impose a separate dealer permit but Constable and Sheriff property crime units inspect records and pursue stolen-property cases.
Failure to register, falsifying transaction records, or selling within the seven-day hold period is a Class A misdemeanor under Section 1956.156, with civil forfeiture of unreported stock and license revocation by DPS.
Harris County, TX
Harris County Engineering creates loading zones on county-maintained streets through traffic-control orders authorized by Transportation Code section 542.202...
Harris County, TX
Smoke alarms in Harris County homes are governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Section 766.002 and, for rentals, Texas Property Code Sections 92.251 to 92....
Harris County, TX
Texas counties have no general zoning authority under Local Government Code Chapter 231, so unincorporated Harris County does not require a home occupation p...
Harris County, TX
Unincorporated Harris County does not impose night caps or stay-length limits on short-term rentals. Texas counties have no general zoning authority under th...
Harris County, TX
Texas Transportation Code does not classify skateboards, so they are barred from roadways. Harris County Precinct Parks rules prohibit skateboarding outside ...
Harris County, TX
Harris County has no local lead-hazard rental inspection program. Federal Title X (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992) and EPA Renovat...
See how Harris County's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.