“Pawnbroker” means any business engaged in the activity of loaning money on the security pledges deposits or conditional sales of personal property or who makes a public display at or near the place of business of any sign or symbol generally used by pawnbrokers or any sign that he or she has money to loan on personal property on deposit or pledge.
“Secondhand Goods Dealer” means any person engaging in the business of buying, selling, trading or consignment selling, or transferring for value secondhand goods.
“Secondhand Goods” means any item of personal property, which is not new, that is purchased, traded in, or offered for sale.
A Pawnbroker or Secondhand Goods Dealer license is required for any business conducting this activity. The license application requires review by Planning and Development Services prior to the activity being conducted for the protection of public welfare, health and safety of citizens.
The license requires all businesses to report daily transactions to the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) through LeadsOnline and outlines specific record keeping requirements that must be available to TPD when requested.
Approval can be obtained by submitting an application for Pawnbroker and Secondhand Goods and fee to the Tax & License office. The application will be routed to the appropriate City departments for review.
Please allow 10-15 business days to receive notice of approval or denial of your license.
You can find more information in Tacoma Municipal Code 6B.160 about Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers license requirements.