Newark, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

City Code § 8:23-2 makes it unlawful to carry on the business of purchasing precious metals or gems in Newark without a license from the Public Safety Director, and anyone already doing that business had to apply within 30 days of the chapter's April 2019 effective date. The chapter's definitions in § 8:23-1 sweep in far more than jewelry: 'SECONDHAND GOODS' covers scrap gold, jewelry, home electronics, cellular equipment, computers, tools, televisions, furniture, clothing and collectibles, with a full inventory listed in the § 8:23-15 Appendix I.

Section 8:23-3 requires a separate license for every location a dealer uses to buy these items, and § 8:23-4 sets licenses to expire biennially on April 30. Dealers must record every transaction with a unique receipt number, the buyer's and seller's names, addresses and phone numbers, the date and time, and weight and fineness data for precious metals, entered into an electronic database chosen by the Public Safety Director, per § 8:23-8. Section 8:23-9 caps cash payments to the same seller at two transactions in any seven-day period and bars cash entirely once a seller exceeds five transactions in thirty days, forcing payment by bank check instead.

Section 8:23-10 lets any Newark police officer or sworn law enforcement officer inspect a dealer's books and seize property reasonably believed stolen. Garage sales, judicial sales, antique dealers earning 75% of sales from antiques, and clothing sales under $1,000 in value are exempted under § 8:23-14. S. 2C:20-7 is grounds for license revocation.