Salem, OR Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Salem Revised Code 30.005 defines a dealer in used merchandise as a junk dealer, pawn broker, or secondhand dealer. A secondhand dealer is anyone buying, selling or otherwise dealing in secondhand goods, either as a separate business or as a substantial part of another business. Secondhand goods include precious metals and gems, jewelry, collectibles such as trading cards, stamps and coins, antique and used furniture, and computers and computer components. Property conveyed solely by donation is excluded. SRC 30.010 lists the dealer license among the businesses that need one, and SRC 30.020 requires it before the business starts.

The license application asks for the applicant's date and place of birth, a physical description (height, weight, hair and eye color, scars and marks) and every alias or previous legal name. The Director runs a criminal background check on every dealer applicant. Licenses cannot be transferred (SRC 30.035), must hang in a prominent place at the shop (SRC 30.040), and a renewal application is due at least 30 days before expiration or a new license is required (SRC 30.055). The code defines annual as January 1 through December 31, and the fee is three-fourths of the full amount for applications filed July 1 through September 30 and one-half from October 1 (SRC 30.025). The fee itself is set by Council resolution.

SRC 30.200 is the recordkeeping core. Every article gets an entry showing the date, pawn ticket number, amount paid or lent, a description, any marks or settings, the seller's name, address, description and ID type and number, a declaration of ownership, a copy of photo identification, a right thumb print and the seller's signature. A purchase of more than 20 articles from one seller in one transaction can use a general description. A dealer with 50 or more transactions in a calendar year keeps electronic records, takes the thumb print on a scanning device acceptable to the Chief of Police, and submits each day's transactions by the end of business that day. A dealer under 50 transactions can keep paper records and must report within three days, or mail them within two days. All jewelry and scrap platinum, gold and silver must be photographed and produced on request. Books, articles received solely in trade, loan renewals already reported and videotapes, audio tapes, compact discs, records and DVDs under $75.00 per seller per transaction need no record.