Roanoke County, VA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

1, 'Precious Metals,' governs anyone buying secondhand gold, silver, platinum or gems in Roanoke County. 1-21 defines a 'dealer' as any person, firm, partnership or corporation that purchases secondhand precious metals or gems, removes precious metals or gems from manufactured articles it doesn't own, or buys, acquires or sells metals or gems removed that way; it exempts pawnbrokers licensed separately, retailers taking trade-ins of their own merchandise, sales between dealers or wholesalers, and estate sales by a qualified fiduciary. 1-31 requires a permit from the chief of police, issued on payment of a $200 application fee to the county treasurer and an application disclosing the dealer's identity, Social Security number, employer and place of business, plus written consent to a background check and fingerprints; a felony or moral-turpitude conviction within the last ten years is grounds for denial.

1-30 additionally requires the dealer to post a $10,000 surety bond or bank letter of credit before applying, to cover any judgment against the dealer for misconduct. 1-29 require the dealer to verify each seller's photo ID and ownership statement, keep detailed transaction records (photograph, description, seller's identifying information, and a signed receipt) for at least 24 months, forward a copy of each bill of sale to the chief of police within 24 hours, and hold every item purchased for 15 calendar days before reselling, altering or removing it from the business.

1-28 bars buying from anyone under 18 or from a seller the dealer believes isn't the true owner. 1-22, rising to a class 1 misdemeanor for a repeat offense, and the chief of police can revoke the dealer's permit for a year on a first conviction, two years on a second, and permanently on a third.