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Santa Fe, NM Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License fee
$50 per year per location
Business hours
6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only
Resale hold period
5 working days minimum
Records retention
18 months at licensed premises
Location limit
One store per secondhand dealer license

Summary

Santa Fe requires anyone who buys or sells secondhand goods, junk, core parts or precious metals to hold a city business license under Code Section 18-4.2, at a $50 annual fee for each place of business. Licensees must keep the shop open only 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., hold every item five working days, and log each transaction for 18 months.

It is unlawful for a person to engage in any business as defined by subsection 18-4.1 SFCC 1987, and coming under the provisions of Section 18-4 SFCC 1987, without first obtaining a business license, as required by Section 18-1 SFCC 1987.

View official code

Full Breakdown

City Code Section 18-4 governs secondhand dealers, junk dealers, core recyclers and precious metal dealers together. 10(A) sets the fee at $50 per year for secondhand dealers, junk dealers, precious metal dealers and core recyclers alike. 9 requires a written record of every purchase or pledge, including the seller's name, date of birth, ID number and a description of the item; for copper, catalytic converters and precious metals the record must also note the price paid and whether the seller was the owner, and all records must be kept at the licensed premises for 18 months and opened to city, county and state law enforcement during regular hours.

9G. 13 caps a secondhand dealer to one store or shop under a single license, though extra storage locations are allowed; a junk dealer may not store junk anywhere but the address on the license. 16 bars purchasing any item visibly marked as belonging to someone other than the seller absent written proof of ownership or consent to sell.

Violations & Fines

Buying from a disqualified seller, falsifying a required record, or operating outside licensed hours or location violates Section 18-4 and is punishable under Section 18-4.20 and Section 1-3 SFCC 1987, and is separate cause for the city to revoke the dealer's license after notice and hearing before the governing body under Section 18-1.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Santa Fe secondhand dealer license?
$50 per year for each place of business, the same fee charged to junk dealers, precious metal dealers and core recyclers under City Code Section 18-8.10(A); the license itself is required by Section 18-4.2 before any secondhand buying or selling can begin.
How long must a secondhand shop hold items before reselling them?
Five working days from the date of purchase, per Section 18-4.10, with the same exception for furniture and household goods that pawnbrokers get; catalytic converters and precious metals must be retained in their purchased form for the same five days.
Can a Santa Fe secondhand dealer buy from a minor?
Only with the written consent of the minor's parent or guardian. Section 18-4.15 makes it unlawful to knowingly buy or accept property as a sale or pledge from a minor without that written consent.
What hours can a secondhand or junk dealer operate in Santa Fe?
6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only, per Section 18-4.11; the business must otherwise stay closed to the public, the same restriction that applies to pawnbrokers under the same section.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Santa Fe

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All Santa Fe rules

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