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Reading, PA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Report deadline
daily before 10:00 a.m.
Filed with
Chief of Police
Covers
pawnbrokers, junk & secondhand dealers
Max penalty
$600 fine, 30 days jail

Summary

Every pawnbroker, junk dealer and secondhand-goods dealer in Reading must deliver a daily written report of all items taken in pawn or purchased to the Chief of Police before 10 a.m., or face fines up to $600.

All pawnbrokers, junk dealers and dealers in secondhand goods shall make out and deliver to the Chief of Police, at his office, every day before the hour of 10:00 a.m., or upon demand, a legible and accurate report of all articles taken in pawn or purchased during the preceding day. Such report shall contain an accurate description of all articles taken in pawn or purchased, together with the amount loaned on or paid for such articles.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-8: Current through August 10, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Reading's Pawnbrokers chapter (Code § 403-101) requires junk dealers and dealers in secondhand goods, alongside pawnbrokers, to make out and deliver to the Chief of Police, at his office, every day before 10:00 a.m., or upon demand, a legible, accurate report of all articles taken in pawn or purchased the preceding day, including a description of each item and the amount loaned or paid. The chapter does not create a separate secondhand-dealer license; dealers still need the citywide Business Privilege License under § 339-203. Violating the daily reporting duty is a summary offense under § 403-102.

Violations & Fines

Failing to file the daily pawn/purchase report with the Chief of Police is punishable by a fine up to $600 plus costs, or up to 30 days in jail for nonpayment (§ 403-102).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Reading issue a specific secondhand-dealer license?
No separate license: secondhand and junk dealers need the citywide Business Privilege License and must file the daily pawn/purchase report required by § 403-101.
What must the daily report to police include?
An accurate description of every article taken in pawn or purchased the prior day, plus the amount loaned or paid for it.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Reading

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All Reading rules

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