Newton, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing authority
- Chief of Police
- License term
- 12 months, renewable annually
- Resale waiting period
- 5 days after weekly report filed
- Outdoor storage clearance
- 4 feet from building/lot lines
- Weekly report deadline
- Monday 5:00 p.m.
- License classes
- Class I secondhand/antiques; Class II junk
Summary
Newton requires anyone dealing in secondhand articles, old metals, or junk to hold a license from the chief of police under Sec. 20-123, who weighs the applicant's criminal record, storage plans, and business location, plus a two-class fee schedule separating antique dealers from junk collectors.
No person shall be a dealer in, collector of or keep a shop for the purchase, sale or barter of secondhand articles, old metals or junk unless licensed by the chief of police. In deciding whether to grant a license to an applicant, the chief of police shall consider: (1) whether the applicant has a criminal record, particularly a record of theft, burglary, robbery, larceny, receiving stolen goods or the like; (2) the proposed storage facilities for the second hand articles or junk; (3) the location of the proposed place of business; and (4) whether the public's interest or convenience is served by granting the license. ... Licenses issued under this division shall be of two (2) classes: Class I, dealers in second-hand articles, including antiques and old metals; and Class II, junk dealers and junk collectors.
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 20-123, no person may deal in, collect, or keep a shop for secondhand articles, old metals, or junk in Newton without a license from the chief of police, who considers the applicant's criminal record (especially theft, burglary, robbery, larceny, or receiving stolen goods), the proposed storage facilities, the business location, and whether the public interest is served. Sec. 20-124 splits licenses into Class I (secondhand articles, antiques, old metals) and Class II (junk dealers and collectors), each paying the fee set by Sec.
17-3. Sec. 20-107 bars a licensee from buying any article without first checking the seller's positive identification. Sec. the Monday after each business week, subject to waiver by the chief for certain classes of items. Sec. 20-110 bars resale of acquired goods until five days after that weekly report is filed, again waivable in writing. Sec. 20-112 flatly bars dealing with minors. Sec. 20-113 requires outdoor storage of secondhand goods and junk to sit at least four feet from any building and from the rear or side lot line, stored in an orderly, screened manner.
Sec. 20-126 conditions the license on the business location conforming to the zoning ordinance (Chapter 30) and requires the chief of police's consent before relocating. Sec. 20-128 sets each license term at twelve months, renewable annually.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 20-111 lets the chief of police or any authorized officer enter the business premises during business hours and demand to inspect any licensed article. Sec. 20-127 lets the chief of police revoke a license after a public hearing whenever revocation serves the public interest, and any failure to comply with the article's terms can trigger suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to run an antique or consignment shop in Newton?
How long must a Newton secondhand dealer hold goods before reselling them?
Can Newton revoke a secondhand dealer's license?
Where can secondhand goods be stored outdoors in Newton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newton
Compare Newton to another location·View the Massachusetts business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Secondhand Dealers in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle secondhand dealers.