West New York, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Chapter 227, adopted by the Board of Commissioners on 10-5-1977 as Ord. No. 1256, requires a license for anyone who keeps a yard, space or place in the Town of West New York to buy, trade, sell, exchange or store junk or salvage (§ 227-1). Section 227-2 defines a junk or salvage dealer to include any automobile wrecking business and the sale or storage of used auto parts, used lumber, used plumbing fixtures, appliances or other used or secondhand articles. Storing old material for the storer's own manufacturing use on the same premises is excepted.

The application goes to the Town Clerk in triplicate and must list the applicant and, for a business entity, its officers and all beneficial holders, the street address and tax map lot and block, the owner's consent when the applicant is a tenant, a sketch of the property with the names and addresses of all owners within 200 feet, a detailed summary of the business, and a receipted real estate tax bill (§ 227-3). The applicant must give those neighbors written notice at least 10 days before filing. The Building Inspector inspects the premises and reports to the Board of Commissioners, the Police Department investigates the character and background of the applicant and principals, and only then can the Board grant the license at a public meeting (§ 227-4). No license goes to anyone convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, breaking and entering, robbery, larceny or receiving stolen goods (§ 227-12).

Operating rules in § 227-5 include a solid fence at least seven feet high, no more than two gates each no wider than 15 feet, no stacking of junk above six feet, no operation within 500 feet of a dwelling, church or school, and no purchases from anyone under 18 unless a parent or guardian is present. Gasoline and fuel must be drained from a vehicle within eight hours of receipt. Section 227-6 requires a bound book recording each article bought, the seller's name and address and the price paid. Licenses expire at midnight on December 31, with renewal filed with the Town Clerk on or before November 1 (§ 227-8), and a location or ownership transfer carries a $250 fee (§§ 227-9, 227-11).