Monterey County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

24, Junk Dealers, dates to Ordinance 346 of 1917 and still governs buying or selling old rope, iron, brass, copper, tin, lead, rags, slush, empty bottles, paper, bagging or other junk in the unincorporated county, whether at a fixed shop or as an itinerant peddler. 010 requires anyone entering this business to apply to the Board of Supervisors for permission before starting. 020 sends that application to the Sheriff, who investigates the applicant's character and reports back within seven days; the Board must grant permission unless the Sheriff's report shows the applicant lacks good moral character or a reputation for honesty and integrity.

030 lets the Board revoke that permission if the operator disobeys the chapter or runs the business unlawfully. 040 requires a junk shop or junkyard operator to pay a separate license before also working as an itinerant junk peddler. 050 sets the junk shop or junkyard license at fifty dollars per year, payable quarterly in advance, plus one dollar per year for every wagon or vehicle used. 060 sets a separate itinerant junk peddler's license at ten dollars per year for every wagon or vehicle used. 080 requires each junk peddler to wear a numbered circular metal badge issued by the Tax Collector.