Business Licensing & Operations in Albemarle County, VA (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Albemarle County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Secondhand Dealers
Anyone buying precious metals or gems from the public in Albemarle County, such as a pawn or secondhand gold shop, must hold a permit from the Chief of Police, post a $10,000 bond, and keep detailed transaction records for each seller. County Code §§ 12-201, 12-205 and 12-211 set these permit, bonding and item-retention rules under Article 2 of the Regulated Enterprises chapter.
Albemarle County Precious Metals Dealer Permit
Significant RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 12-201, 12-205, 12-211
Sec. 12-201 - Permit—Required. No person shall engage in the activities of a dealer, as defined in Virginia Code § 54.1-4100, without first obtaining a permit from the Chief of Police. ... A.Before receiving a permit, a dealer shall provide a bond to the County, secured by a corporate surety authorized to do business in the Commonwealth, to be payable to the County in the penal sum of $10,000.0...
Pawnbrokers
Albemarle County caps pawnshop licenses at ten countywide. The Director of Finance issues no more than that number and must notify the County Sheriff of every pawnbroker license granted. Pawnbrokers also need the county's standard business license, and operating without one is a class 2 misdemeanor in Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville.
Albemarle County Pawnbroker License Cap
Significant RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 8-703
The Director of Finance shall not issue licenses for the operation of more than ten pawnshops in the County. The Director shall notify the County Sheriff of each license issued for a pawnshop.
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