West Bloomfield, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Section 19-32 explains that Michigan's Precious Metal and Gem Dealer Act, Public Act 95 of 1981 (MCL 445.481 et seq.), requires anyone engaged in the ordinary course of repeated and recurrent transactions of buying or receiving precious items from the public in West Bloomfield Township to hold a certificate of registration, and § 19-33 makes it enforceable locally: a dealer cannot conduct business without that certificate from the township clerk. "Precious item" under § 19-31 covers jewelry, precious gems and anything containing gold, silver or platinum, but excludes coins, bullion bars, items already bought from a registered dealer or manufacturer, industrial machinery, returns with a receipt, repairs returned to the owner, unmarked items purchased for under $5.00, incidental scrap-metal traces, and even trades where the customer pays the difference.

Section 19-36 sets a $50 annual processing fee plus reimbursement of the township's ICHAT background-check cost, and § 19-37 requires the applicant's name, address, date of birth, thumbprint, business address, a felony/misdemeanor disclosure and the same for every agent or employee, with new hires reported to police within 24 hours. Section 19-39 makes every registration expire March 31 annually, renewable if filed at least 45 days ahead. Individuals selling their own items (§ 19-35) and internet drop-off stores meeting the seven conditions in § 19-34, including 24-hour police response and no-cash payment, are excluded from registration.