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

Before operating a junk business in Salinas, whether at a fixed shop or as a traveling peddler buying old rope, iron, brass, copper, tin, lead, rags, slush, empty bottles, paper or bagging, the operator must apply to the city council for permission under Sec. 23-17. The application goes to the police chief, who investigates the applicant's character and reports back to the council within seven days under Sec. 23-18; the council must grant the permit unless the report shows the applicant lacks good moral character or a reputation for honesty and integrity. The council can revoke that permission under Sec. 23-19 if the dealer breaks the article's rules or runs the business unlawfully.

Once licensed, every junk shop or junk yard operator must keep a bound record book logging an exact description of each item purchased, the purchase date, and the name and address of the seller, along with any identifying marks, under Sec. 23-20; the book and the goods must stay open to inspection by the police chief or any officer during regular business hours. Sec. 23-21 requires junk to be held at least five days before resale, and Sec. 23-22 bars any junk shop or yard operator from also pawnbroking on the same premises. Junk peddlers cannot buy or collect junk between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or at any time from anyone under eighteen, under Sec. 23-23. Sec. 23-24 requires every junk dealer and employee to wear a metal tag reading "Junk dealer's license tag, Salinas City, Cal." issued by the police chief while working.