San Mateo County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Yes, County License Board
- Annual fee
- $60.00
- Hold period
- 15 days before resale
- Flea markets
- Counted as secondhand dealers
Summary
Secondhand dealers and flea market operators in unincorporated San Mateo County must license with the County and hold purchased goods 15 days before resale.
Secondhand dealer is a person, other than a used car dealer or dealer in secondhand books or magazines, engaged in conducting, managing, or carrying on the business of buying, selling, or otherwise dealing in secondhand goods, wares, or merchandise, but does not include a person who does not sell or offer to sell secondhand goods, wares, or merchandise, except such articles as are received by such person as payment or part payment for a new article sold by him. A person operating a premise commonly called a "Flea Market" shall be considered a secondhand dealer.
(Prior code § 5128.2; Ord. 1181, 09/11/56; Ord. 2042, 04/28/70)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 5.32.030 defines a secondhand dealer as anyone buying, selling, or dealing in secondhand goods, and expressly includes anyone operating a 'Flea Market.' Under § 5.32.060, secondhand dealers need a County License Board license (same $60 annual fee as pawnbrokers) before operating in unincorporated territory, plus fingerprints for badge-holding employees. Section 5.32.120 separately requires all secondhand goods to be held 15 days from purchase before resale. Only unincorporated pockets fall under this chapter: the county's cities regulate secondhand dealers separately.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a license, or reselling goods before the 15-day hold expires, violates Chapter 5.32 and can trigger License Board denial or revocation proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are flea market operators covered by this county code?
How long must a secondhand dealer hold purchased goods?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
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