Woodbury, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

City Code Sec. 11-400 defines a precious metal dealer as any person buying coins or second-hand items containing precious metal, including jewelry, watches, eating utensils, candlesticks, and religious or decorative objects, with narrow carve-outs for garage sales, farm auctions, and transactions regulated under other state or federal statutes. Sec. 11-402 requires a license from the city, with the police department as issuing authority, before anyone may carry on this trade. Under Sec. 11-410(c), precious metal dealers must complete daily report forms sent to the police department for jewelry, gems, precious metals, cameras, electronic audio or video equipment, artist-signed artwork, guns, and any other item worth more than $200 (except furniture and kitchen or laundry appliances).

Sec. 11-410(a) requires immediate recordkeeping in English, in indelible ink or on computer disc, of an accurate item description, the date and time received, and the seller's name, address, date of birth, and ID number from a driver's license, Minnesota ID, or other state photo ID, retained for at least four years. Sec. 11-410(r) sets a two-week holding period before an item received by a precious metal dealer may be resold or transferred once a police report is required. Sec. any day. Sec. 11-413(b) bars a precious metal dealer from possessing stolen goods or purchasing property from a minor. The initial investigation fee deposit is $1,500 under Sec. 11-408, refunded down to $500 if the background check stays within Minnesota.