Tacoma secondhand dealers must hold a city business license, record every transaction with seller ID, hold tagged property for a waiting period, and electronically report data to the Tacoma Police Department.
Tacoma Municipal Code Chapter 6B requires anyone buying used merchandise for resale, including pawn-style purchases, to register as a secondhand dealer with the City. Dealers must collect seller name, address, and government ID, record a description of each item with serial numbers, and upload daily transaction reports through the Tacoma Police Department's data system, similar to LeadsOnline. Property must be held intact in a designated location for at least 30 days so detectives can compare items against stolen-property reports. Washington also regulates secondhand dealers under RCW 19.60 to deter fencing of stolen goods.
Failing to record transactions, skipping the holding period, or reselling reported stolen property exposes the dealer to misdemeanor charges, civil penalties, and revocation of the Tacoma business license.
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