Schenectady, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Chapter 217 defines a secondhand dealer broadly under § 217-1 to include anyone dealing in secondhand articles generally, taking used goods as trade-ins or store credit, buying or selling items made of gold, silver, platinum or other precious metals, or dealing in used electronics, computers or electronic media; yard sales, licensed auctioneers, nonprofit sales and a one-time resale by the original consumer are excluded. Section 217-2 requires a general license from the City Clerk, on forms set by the Commissioner of Public Safety, following a background investigation, with all regulations subject to Corporation Counsel review.

The license, issued under § 217-3, costs $150 per year, runs one year from issuance, is required separately for every place of business, and does not cover pawnbrokers, who are licensed instead under Chapter 189. The Commissioner can refuse, suspend or revoke a license under § 217-4 if the applicant, an officer, or anyone owning more than 10% of the company's stock has a conviction bearing a direct relationship to fitness for the business. Licensees must keep a computer ledger, transmitted weekly to the Police Department, recording a description, serial number and identifying details of every item bought or sold, along with the seller's name, age, address, phone number and physical description, under § 217-5; entries can never be erased or altered.

Section 217-6 requires the chapter, or a summary, posted in the shop along with a sign at least three inches tall giving the dealer's name. on Saturdays.