Orange County, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Local Law No. 12 of 2009 makes it unlawful to establish, engage in or carry on the business of dealing in secondhand precious metals or gems anywhere in the County without first obtaining a license, which must be displayed conspicuously at the licensed place of business (Section 3). Applications go to the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs and Weights and Measures, the "Sealer," and must include the business's trade name filing, all Orange County business addresses, the owner's statement of age 18 or older, a 10-year criminal history disclosure, and two 2-by-2-inch photographs (Section 4).

Local Law No. 1 of 2011 amended Section 4(8) and Section 5(A) to require fingerprints of the owner, general partners, or officers and stockholders holding more than 5% of a corporate applicant, submitted electronically to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services for a background check before the Sealer reviews and issues the license. The application fee is $200, non-refundable, and every applicant must post a $2,000 surety bond guaranteeing payment for instruments issued in exchange for purchased metals (Section 4). Licenses expire one year after issuance and renew for $100 upon an application filed 15 to 30 days before expiration (Section 6).

, and must hold any purchased item for 15 days before reselling, melting or altering it (Section 9). Every purchase must be logged by the close of business and a copy mailed within 48 hours to the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the local police department, which serve as the central record repository (Section 12). A license may be denied, suspended or revoked for a disqualifying criminal conviction or misrepresentation on the application, with an aggrieved applicant able to demand a formal hearing before an independent hearing officer within 60 days of the Commissioner's initial determination (Section 7).