East Baton Rouge Parish, LA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Business license fee
- $25.00 nonrefundable
- Employee permit fee
- $20.00, includes photo
- Holding period before resale
- 30 calendar days
- Business hours
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (10 p.m. Sat/Dec)
- Enforcing agency
- Baton Rouge Police, chief of police
- First-offense license fine
- $25.00 to $100.00
Summary
Anyone buying, selling or trading used jewelry, tools, electronics, firearms or similar goods in East Baton Rouge Parish must hold a second-hand dealer business license from the chief of police, plus a separate employee permit, before opening for business.
No person shall operate a business which includes activity which falls within the definition of a second-hand dealer, as set forth above, without first obtaining a license for a second-hand dealer business, which license shall be maintained at the business location and shall be displayed to any law enforcement officer upon request. Any person may hold as many such licenses to operate a second-hand dealer business as they may choose provided that they otherwise comply with the provisions of this chapter as to each license. The license to operate a second-hand dealer business is not transferable, and any change in ownership will necessitate an application for a new license under the provisions of this chapter.
Full Breakdown
City-Parish Code Sec. 9:1052 makes it unlawful to "operate a business which includes activity which falls within the definition of a second-hand dealer" without first obtaining a license, which must stay on-site and be shown to any officer on request. A retail merchant who acquires more than three second-hand items in 30 days is automatically classified as a second-hand dealer under Sec. 9:1050. The license application (Sec. 00 fee under Sec. 9:1055. Beyond the business license, every individual who works in the trade needs a personal permit (Sec.
00 fee that covers photographing the applicant (Sec. 9:1057), and the dealer can only operate from the address on the permit unless a home address is also on file with police (Sec. 9:1058). Merchandise purchased is held for 30 calendar days before resale, disposal or alteration (Sec. 9:1064), with narrow exceptions for repeat clients (after 72 hours' written notice to the police pawn shop detail) and trade-show purchases. on Saturdays and throughout December (Sec. 9:1066). Purchases from anyone under 18 are prohibited outright (Sec. 9:1065). Motor-vehicle dealers, licensed wreckers, pawnbrokers and 501(c) charities are exempt (Sec. 9:1051), as is estate-sale and auction merchandise other than jewelry and major appliances.
Violations & Fines
Operating as a second-hand dealer without the required license is a fine of not less than $250.00 or imprisonment of 30 to 60 days, or both, under Sec. 9:1068. A licensed dealer who violates the chapter's other requirements (recordkeeping, holding period, hours) faces escalating fines under Sec. 9:1067: $25.00 to $100.00 or 10 to 30 days on a first offense, $500.00 or 30 to 60 days on a second offense within 12 months, and permit revocation on a third conviction. Possession of stolen property without proper records under Sec. 9:1070 is grounds for arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does selling a few used items at a yard sale make me a second-hand dealer?
How long must a shop hold merchandise before reselling it?
Can a pawnshop double as a second-hand dealer under this chapter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Baton Rouge Parish
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