West Des Moines, IA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

West Des Moines City Code Section 3-8-1 defines a "Secondhand Dealer" as any person engaged in buying or selling secondhand goods, expressly including "the use of any automated or camera-enabled kiosk used to purchase secondhand goods from a seller without the buyer's physical presence." Like pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers fall under the Chapter 8 "Dealer" license requirement in Section 3-8-2 and must apply to the City Clerk with owner background information, a ten-year criminal history disclosure, and proof of interest in the business premises (Section 3-8-3).

Section 3-8-13 imposes specific prohibited acts: dealers may not buy from anyone under 18, may not conceal goods to prevent identification, may not buy from a person of unsound mind or who is intoxicated, and must contact the West Des Moines Police Department immediately if an item's serial number appears tampered with. Section 3-8-14 requires that secondhand goods not be melted, altered, mutilated, sold, dismantled or disposed of for ten days after the required police report, absent written consent from the Chief of Police, and bars altering jewelry during the redemption period.

Every dealer must report each transaction to the Chief of Police's designated internet-based tracking service within 24 hours, capturing the seller's identification, item description, serial numbers, price paid and, absent a serial number, a digital photograph, with records retained at least three years and remaining City property (Section 3-8-12). Licenses are annual, expiring April 30, and can be denied, suspended or revoked for zoning conflicts, fraud, or a disqualifying conviction (Section 3-8-9), with appeal rights first to the Municipal Code Hearing Officer and then to Polk County District Court.