Businesses that buy or sell used goods, including thrift stores, electronics resellers, and gold buyers, must register as secondhand dealers under California Business and Professions Code 21625 et seq. and report transactions to law enforcement via CAPSS.
California Business and Professions Code section 21625 et seq. and Penal Code section 496 govern secondhand dealers, requiring registration with local law enforcement before purchasing used merchandise. Oakland Police Department processes applications and Live Scan fingerprinting for owners and employees. Dealers must report all transactions through the California Pawn and Secondhand Dealer System (CAPSS), hold purchased property for a 30-day reporting period, and verify seller identification. Pawnbrokers face additional licensing under BPC 21300. Stolen-goods dealing triggers Penal Code 496 felony liability. Oakland imposes additional zoning approvals through OMC Title 17 and a city business tax certificate.
License denial or revocation, business closure, civil penalties, and criminal prosecution under Penal Code 496 for receiving stolen property.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle secondhand dealers.
See how Oakland's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
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