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

Michigan's regulatory framework for secondhand dealers runs on two parallel tracks anchored in the MCL 446 series. (1) The Precious Metal and Gem Dealer Act, Public Act 95 of 1981 (MCL 446.201 et seq.), regulates dealers who buy gold, silver, platinum, and gems for resale. Dealers must register with the local law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction - in Wyoming, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety - keep detailed transaction records (seller ID, item description, photographs, purchase price), hold each purchased item at the registered premises for the statutory minimum hold period before resale or melt, and submit periodic reports to police. The seller must produce a government-issued photo ID and sign a statement of ownership. (2) Pawnbrokers in Michigan operate under the Pawnbrokers Act (Public Act 273 of 1917, as amended). Pawnbrokers must post a surety bond, charge interest within statutory limits, keep detailed loan records, provide a statutory redemption period, and file transaction reports with the Wyoming Department of Public Safety. Locally, Wyoming has not adopted a stand-alone municipal pawnshop ordinance beyond its general business-licensing requirement, but every secondhand or precious-metal dealer must hold a Wyoming business license issued by the City Clerk and must comply with the Wyoming Zoning Ordinance for permitted-use status. Wyoming Public Safety, like many Michigan agencies, uses LeadsOnline or similar web services for stolen-goods detection. Used-goods stores in Wyoming must also satisfy zoning conditions - certain auto-parts or industrial used-goods uses are conditional in the Wyoming Zoning Ordinance.