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San Bernardino County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

Verified 1 week ago|Source: California Business and Professions Code →

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Key Facts

Hold period: 30 days
Reporting: DOJ CAPSS daily
Licensing agency: SBC Sheriff
State law: B and P 21625

These county ordinances apply to of San Bernardino County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Summary

Secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers in unincorporated San Bernardino County must register with the Sheriff and report transactions through the California Department of Justice CAPSS reporting system under state law.

Full Breakdown

California Business and Professions Code section 21625 and following requires secondhand dealers to obtain a license, fingerprint employees, and report all tangible personal property transactions daily through the Department of Justice Computerized Automated Pawn-Property Submission system. The San Bernardino County Sheriff is the local licensing authority for unincorporated areas. Dealers must hold property for 30 days before resale, allowing law enforcement to recover stolen goods and clear pawned merchandise from theft databases.

Violations & Fines

Failing to license, fingerprint employees, hold goods for 30 days, or report through CAPSS can trigger misdemeanor charges and license revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 30-day hold apply to pawned items as well?

Yes. Both purchased and pledged secondhand goods must be held intact for 30 days under California Business and Professions Code section 21636 so law enforcement can check stolen property databases.

Are coin and bullion dealers exempt from the rules?

Limited exemptions exist for certain coin transactions, but most dealers must still license, fingerprint employees, and report transactions through the CAPSS system maintained by the California DOJ.

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San Bernardino County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

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