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

Chapter 242 of the Troy City Code, adopted 6-7-2012, regulates secondhand dealers in the City of Troy, New York. Section 242-1 defines a dealer broadly: anyone buying or selling secondhand radios, cameras, firearms including antique, televisions, household appliances, auto parts, office furniture, sporting equipment, musical instruments, computers, GPS devices, articles of gold, silver or platinum, or pawnbrokers' tickets. The chapter does not apply to household furniture and furnishings, pianos, books, magazines, paintings, vinyl records, cassette tapes, compact discs or automobiles, or to exchanges and returns for new merchandise.

Licensing runs through the City Clerk. The application, signed before a notary or other official authorized to administer oaths, lists the applicant's residence history, prior employment, any felony or misdemeanor conviction and the street address of the business, and the Troy Police Department directs applicants through the fingerprint process of the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (§ 242-3). The Chief of Police investigates character and repute and recommends granting or refusing, weighing any conviction under Correction Law §§ 701 to 703-b and 751 to 753 (§ 242-4). A refused applicant must wait at least one year to reapply unless the reason for rejection no longer exists (§ 242-5). The license names the business location, and no dealer can operate from any other place (§ 242-11(A)).

Operating rules are detailed. Every purchase or sale goes into a bound book and a companion electronic spreadsheet, kept five years (§ 242-9). A copy of the records goes to the Chief of Police every Monday before 12:00 noon (§ 242-10). Sellers must show a driver's license or non-driver ID, passport, armed forces ID or New York State Benefit Card, and merchandise with an altered or removed serial number cannot be bought. Purchased articles are held 10 business days before sale, with an exception for redemption by the person the goods came from (§ 242-11(F)), and each item is tagged and numbered. Police can examine the premises and stock at reasonable times. A revoked licensee receives no refund and cannot get a license for two years (§ 242-7).