San Antonio, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- TX Occupations Ch. 1956
- Reporting system
- LeadsOnline within 48 hours
- Hold period
- 14 days before resale
- Metal cash ban
- Catalytic converter, copper wire
- Local enforcement
- SAPD Pawn Detail
Summary
San Antonio secondhand dealers, including used-jewelry buyers, used-merchandise stores, and metal recyclers, must register under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 and report transactions to SAPD's Pawn Detail through LeadsOnline within 48 hours to support stolen-property recovery.
Sec. 1956.061. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS AND ORDINANCES. This subchapter does not: (1) excuse noncompliance with another state law or municipal ordinance covering the reporting, holding, or releasing of crafted precious metal; (2) prohibit a municipality from enacting, amending, or enforcing an ordinance relating to a dealer; or (3) supersede a municipal ordinance except to the extent the ordinance does not require reporting for transactions involving crafted precious metal.
Full Breakdown
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 governs metal recycling and Chapter 1802 covers used-merchandise dealers across San Antonio. The SAPD Pawn Detail administers the local reporting framework, requiring dealers to record seller identification, take a thumbprint, photograph each item, and electronically transmit transaction data to LeadsOnline within 48 hours. Items must be held at least 14 days before resale to allow stolen-property checks against police reports. Metal recyclers face additional restrictions on cash payments for regulated material such as catalytic converters, copper wire, and stainless beer kegs; all such purchases require certified-fund payment under Section 1956.038. State preemption limits San Antonio to enforcement and reporting roles; the city does not issue a standalone secondhand-dealer permit beyond what state law authorizes.
Violations & Fines
Failing to record sellers, skipping LeadsOnline reporting, paying cash for restricted metals, or selling within the 14-day hold period triggers Class A misdemeanor charges, civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, and DPS license suspension for metal recyclers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must a San Antonio thrift or pawn shop hold purchased items?
Can San Antonio scrap yards pay cash for catalytic converters?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Antonio
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