Oyster Bay, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Town Code § 192-8 makes it unlawful to act as a dealer in secondhand articles without a license, and creates three license types: a general license covering all secondhand goods besides automobiles, a management license for operating an antique or unique-articles exposition, and an exposition license for out-of-town dealers exhibiting at a fair or show. General and management license holders must post a $2,000 surety bond approved by the Town Clerk; the annual fee is $100 for a general or management license and $50 for an exposition license, and licenses expire every October 1 unless renewed.

(except from licensed antique dealers), and forbids reselling any secondhand article, other than one bought from another licensed dealer, until 15 business days after acquiring it. A dealer who also handles junk, old rope, iron, brass, copper, rags or similar scrap must separately hold a junk dealer's license under Chapter 139. Section 192-13 requires a bound, consecutively numbered ledger recording each transaction's description, identifying marks and the seller's name and address, open to inspection by the Nassau County Police Commissioner or an inspector of licenses; antique dealers must report bulk purchases to the police within 72 hours.

Section 192-14 requires verifying every seller's identity against an official government-issued document and keeping that record on file. Licenses can be denied, suspended or revoked by the Town Clerk under §§ 192-8J and 192-18 for fraud, a disqualifying conviction, or operating in a manner that breaches the peace, with a right to appeal to a Town Board Review Board within 20 days under § 192-19.