Business Licensing & Operations in Bay County, MI (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Bay County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Secondhand Dealers
Bay County requires secondhand dealers, buyers and sellers of used goods like electronics, tools, jewelry and precious metals, to hold a license from the County Executive under Part 18 of the county code. Every applicant undergoes a Sheriff background check, and dealers cannot buy goods between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. or from anyone under 18, intoxicated, or known to deal in stolen property.
Bay County Secondhand Dealer Licensing
Significant RestrictionsBay County Code of Ordinances §§ 18.002, 18.008(c)
Sec. 2. The County Executive is designated and authorized to issue, suspend and revoke licenses for persons, corporations, partnerships, companies or firms to carry on the business of a secondhand dealer pursuant to 1917 PA 350, as amended, MCL 445.401 et seq., "the Secondhand Dealers Act." ... No secondhand dealer shall purchase or receive any goods between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m....
Pawnbrokers
Bay County licenses pawnbrokers operating outside cities and villages of more than 3,000 people, such as the City of Bay City and City of Essexville, which license their own. The County Executive issues, suspends and revokes licenses after a Sheriff background investigation, and pawnbrokers cannot buy goods between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., from anyone under 18, or on Sundays.
Bay County Pawnbroker Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsBay County Code of Ordinances §§ 17.002, 17.003(a)(1), 17.007(b)
Sec. 2. The Bay County Executive is designated and authorized to issue, suspend, and revoke licenses for persons, corporations, partnerships, companies or firms to carry on the business of a pawnbroker pursuant to 1917 PA 273, as amended, MCL 446.201 et seq., ("the Pawnbrokers Act."). ... (1)The County may not issue a license for a location within a city or village with a population greater tha...
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