Arlington vs Fort Worth
How do secondhand dealers rules compare between Arlington, TX and Fort Worth, TX?
Fort Worth has fewer restrictions than Arlington.
Arlington, TX
Tarrant County
Arlington secondhand dealers and pawn shops must register with APD, photograph and report all purchased items daily through the LeadsOnline system, and hold inventory for at least 15 days to allow stolen-property recovery.
View full Arlington rules →Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Secondhand dealers operating in Fort Worth must register with the Fort Worth Police Department, follow Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 reporting on metal and used goods, hold purchases for mandatory waiting periods, and report transactions through state-mandated electronic reporting systems for theft recovery.
View full Fort Worth rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting database | LeadsOnline daily | - |
| Hold period | 15 days minimum | - |
| City code | Chapter 4 Art VII | - |
| State law | Tex Fin Code 371 | TX Occupations Code Ch. 1956 |
| Local registration | - | FWPD Pawn Unit |
| Reporting system | - | LeadsOnline daily uploads |
| Holding period | - | Minimum 72 hours |
| Seller ID | - | Government photo ID required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
Do garage sales count as secondhand dealing?
No. Occasional garage and estate sales are exempt. The rules target ongoing commercial buyers like pawn shops, gold buyers, used-game stores, and consignment retailers operating year-round.
Why the 15-day hold?
The hold gives Arlington Police time to match incoming items against stolen-property reports through LeadsOnline. Owners can reclaim recovered property without dealers losing the purchase price.
Fort Worth FAQ
Do flea market vendors and antique dealers count as secondhand dealers in Fort Worth?
Many do. If a vendor regularly buys used personal property for resale, especially metals, electronics, or jewelry, they fall under Chapter 1956 and Fort Worth registration. Casual hobby resellers usually do not.
How long must a Fort Worth secondhand dealer hold an item before selling it?
At least 72 hours under state law, with longer holds (often 10-30 days) for jewelry, precious metals, and items flagged in stolen-property databases. FWPD may extend holds during active investigations.
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