Tigard, OR Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Tigard Municipal Code § 7.70.030
- License issuer
- Chief of the Tigard Police Department, within 90 days
- Occasional dealer limit
- Not more than 50 items of regulated property in one year
- Transient merchant bond
- $10,000.00 filed with the city recorder (§ 7.70.045)
- Maximum civil penalty
- Up to $500.00 per violation (§ 7.70.130)
- Appeals
- Civil infractions hearing officer under Chapter 1.17
Summary
In the City of Tigard, Oregon, no person or business can run a secondhand dealer business without a secondhand dealer license from the City of Tigard, in addition to the Chapter 5.04 business license. Tigard Municipal Code § 7.70.030 sets an occasional-dealer threshold of 50 items of regulated property in a one-year period, and the Chief of Police issues licenses within 90 days if no cause for denial exists.
A. No person or business shall engage in, conduct or carry on a secondhand dealer business in the City of Tigard without a valid secondhand dealer license issued by the City of Tigard. A secondhand dealer license shall be required in addition to a business license or special certificate required by Chapter 5.04 of the Tigard Municipal Code, or any other city license or permit. B. Dealers that acquire or offer for sale not more than 50 items of regulated property in any one-year period are categorized as an "occasional secondhand dealer." Upon acquiring or offering for sale more than 50 items of regulated property during any one-year period, an occasional secondhand dealer shall apply for and obtain a secondhand dealer license and comply with all the regulations of a secondhand dealer before acquiring any more items of regulated property. C. Any person or business that advertises or otherwise holds him/herself out to be acquiring or offering for sale regulated property within the City of Tigard will be presumed to be operating as a dealer subject to the terms of Chapter 7.70.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 7.70 exists because secondhand businesses carry what § 7.70.010 calls an extraordinary risk of being used by criminals to dispose of stolen property. Section 7.70.030.A requires a valid secondhand dealer license from the City of Tigard, on top of any Chapter 5.04 business license, special certificate or other city permit.
A dealer is any business form that acquires regulated property at business locations in Tigard or offers regulated property for sale, and a pawnbroker licensed under ORS 726.040 et seq. counts as a dealer. Regulated property is property the Chief of Police determines is frequently stolen, such as precious metals, precious gems, watches, sterling silver, electronic equipment, photography equipment, tools, musical instruments and cases, firearms, sporting equipment, and household appliances. The definition excludes a business that acquires only donated items or buys from 501(c)(3) organizations, a person selling personal property acquired for household or other personal use, and a booth at a trade show, flea market or similar event for less than 14 days in any calendar year.
Subsection B creates the occasional secondhand dealer: not more than 50 items of regulated property acquired or offered in any one-year period. Past 50, the dealer must apply for and obtain a license before acquiring any more. Subsection C presumes that anyone who advertises or holds themselves out as acquiring or offering regulated property in Tigard is a dealer. Section 7.70.035 requires a fixed physical business location. Under § 7.70.040 an applicant supplies owner and manager histories, lease copies, web addresses and auction account names, and the dealer must report any change to the Chief of Police within 10 business days. Section 7.70.045 requires a transient merchant to file a $10,000.00 bond with the city recorder.
Under § 7.70.050 the Chief of Police investigates and issues the license within 90 days of receiving the application if no cause for denial exists.
Violations & Fines
Section 7.70.130 lets the Chief of Police assess civil penalties up to $500.00 for each violation of Chapter 7.70, due 30 days from the date of the notice unless appealed. A dealer or applicant can appeal a denial, revocation, suspension or penalty to the civil infractions hearing officer under Chapter 1.17, and a timely appeal of a revocation, suspension or penalty stays the action until the officer issues an opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city license to buy and resell used goods in Tigard?
Who issues the secondhand dealer license?
Is a pawnshop covered?
What items are regulated property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tigard
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