Division 19. Secondhand and Pawn Dealers
Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.
Division 19. Secondhand and Pawn Dealers
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-232 (2026)
Sec. 5-232. PurposeLinkCopy Citation
The purpose of this Division is to promote the safety and welfare of the citizens of Prince George's County by prescribing procedures which will significantly curtail the disposition of certain stolen property by thieves and which will assist in identifying that stolen property so that it may be returned to the owners thereof.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-233 (2026)
Sec. 5-233. DefinitionLinkCopy Citation
(a)
The term "secondhand dealer" means any person, corporation, or other business entity in this County engaged regularly in the business of receiving, in exchange for money, trade, barter, or other valuable consideration, items of tangible personal property.
(b)
The term "tangible personal property" includes the following used items:
(1)
Binoculars;
(2)
Cameras;
(3)
Firearms;
(4)
Furs;
(5)
Household appliances;
(6)
Musical instruments;
(7)
Office machines or equipment (excluding furniture and similar furnishings);
(8)
Radios, television sets, video disc machines, video cassette recorders, stereo equipment;
(9)
Personal computers, tape and disc recorders;
(10)
Watches;
(11)
Bicycles;
(12)
Typewriters;
(13)
Tangible personal property pledged as collateral (pawned items);
(14)
Power tools;
(15)
Any item serialized, marked for identification purposes, or engraved;
(16)
Precious metals and gems;
(17)
Wheels and rims; and
(18)
General use prepaid cards, gift certificates, store gift cards.
Tangible personal property does not include new unopened merchandise in the original sealed packaging, cosmetics, devices, drugs or medications, food or food additives for human consumption as defined in Title 21 Section 101(e), (f), (g), and (i) Health General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. This section does not apply to entities operating as a licensed Automotive Dismantler and Recycler as defined by Title 15 Section 501(b) of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Licensed Automotive Dismantler and Recycler entities are not secondhand dealers.
(c)
The term "pawn dealer" means any person, corporation, or other business entity in the County, including a secondhand dealer, engaged in the business of lending money on the deposit or pledge of tangible personal property or in the business of purchasing tangible personal property on the condition of reselling the same to the seller at a stipulated price.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-234 (2026)
Sec. 5-234. Secondhand Dealer and Pawn Dealer's and Employee LicensesLinkCopy Citation
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, or other business entity in Prince George's County to operate as, or act as agent for, a secondhand dealer or pawn dealer unless in possession of a valid and unsuspended Secondhand Dealer or Pawn Dealer's License issued by the Director of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement.
(b)
The license shall be valid for one (1) year, and each license or renewal shall be subject to an annual fee as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A.
(c)
An applicant for a secondhand dealer or pawn dealer's license shall pay an annual fee as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A for each employee of the applicant. A secondhand dealer or pawn dealer shall pay an additional fee as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A for each employee when the employee is initially employed to cover the cost of conducting a criminal background check. Each employee of a secondhand dealer or pawn dealer shall submit a complete application for an employee license at least five (5) business days prior to working in the business of a secondhand dealer or pawn dealer.
(d)
The Director of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement may revoke or suspend the license described in this Section upon a finding that the licensee has been convicted of a theft offense, has operated for a period of more than thirty (30) days without a valid license, a licensed employee working in the establishment of the Secondhand Dealer and Pawn Dealer or the Dealer licensee is engaged regularly in the business of receiving, in exchange for money, trade, barter, or other valuable consideration, items prohibited in Section 5-233(b), or a licensed employee working in the establishment of the Secondhand Dealer and Pawn Dealer or the Dealer licensee has failed to comply with the provisions of this Division. The Director may deny an application for license if the applicant's license has been revoked or if the applicant is not of good moral character pursuant to the criteria set out in Section 5-204. The Director may deny an application for license if the applicant has not obtained a valid use and occupancy permit for the proposed location within two hundred and seventy (270) days from the date of the application.
(1)
The Director's decision following a hearing shall be in writing; shall be sent to all parties at the hearing; and may be appealed within thirty (30) days after the decision by an aggrieved party to the Board of Appeals.
(e)
The number of pawn dealer licenses shall be limited to thirty-one (31). Except as provided in this Section, pawn dealer licenses may not be leased, sold, assigned, or otherwise transferred, or held and operated where the controlling interest of the licensee's pawn shop business has been leased, sold, assigned or transferred to another individual or business. Such provision would not preclude the capital stock of publicly traded companies, trading on a public stock exchange and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), from being bought and sold.
(1)
Notwithstanding the restriction on the number of licenses contained in this Section, the Director shall not reissue a secondhand dealer or pawn dealer's license that has been revoked or otherwise surrendered even if the total number of issued licenses falls below the number authorized pursuant to this Section.
(2)
Notwithstanding the restriction on the number of licenses contained in this Section, the Director may transfer a valid and unsuspended pawn dealer license to the parent, sibling, or child of the person to whom the licensed was issued, upon the payment of the fee as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A, provided the person is otherwise qualified to obtain the license. A license which has been revoked shall not be transferred.
(f)
Any person who operates as a pawn dealer or secondhand dealer without possessing a valid unexpired pawn dealer license or secondhand dealer license and who subsequently obtains a pawn dealer license or secondhand dealer license shall have the license suspended for two business days for each day the person operated without a license. If the person operates more than thirty (30) calendar days without a license, the Director shall not issue a license for a period of one year after the violation was determined by the Director in accordance with this Section.
(g)
Prior to issuing a secondhand dealer license or pawn dealer license, the Director shall ascertain that the applicant has a valid use and occupancy permit for the proposed location.
(h)
Any person who operates as a pawn dealer or secondhand dealer must notify the Director and Chief of Police, in writing, on a form to be supplied by the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement of the lease, sale, assignment, or transfer of the controlling interest of the licensee's pawn shop business within ten (10) days of the execution of the transaction.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-234.01 (2026)
Sec. 5-234.01. Display of Licenses and ordinancesLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Each license issued under this Division shall be conspicuously displayed at all times in the licensee's place of business.
(b)
A copy of the secondhand and pawn dealers ordinance, consisting of Division 19 of Subtitle 5 of the Prince George's County Code, shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the licensee's place of business so that it may be readily seen and read by persons entering the premises and employees of the licensee's place of business.
(c)
A sign shall be posted in a conspicuous place visible from the main entrance of the licensee's place of business containing the following message in letters of at least one and one-half (1½) inches in height and a corresponding width: "RECEIVING, IN EXCHANGE FOR MONEY, TRADE, BARTER, OR OTHER VALUABLE CONSIDERATION COSMETICS, DEVICES, DRUGS OR MEDICATIONS, FOOD OR FOOD ADDITIVES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS PROHIBITED".
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-235 (2026)
Sec. 5-235. ExceptionsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
This Division shall have no application to the exchange of an item described in Section 5-233 if:
(1)
The exchange is incident to the activities of a club or similar organization meeting, church, church-sponsored group, charitable organization, antique show, trade show, convention, or auction; or
(2)
The item received by a secondhand dealer is used tangible personal property transmitted directly from an established, reputable manufacturer or wholesaler with a fixed business address and provided that the secondhand dealer retains as a part of his records an invoice or other customary proof of origin of such merchandise; or
(3)
The item received by a pawn or secondhand dealer is traded in for the purchase of another item equal or greater in value.
(b)
This Division shall have no application to the sale or exchange of books, periodicals or other written materials.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-236 (2026)
Sec. 5-236. Prohibition of trading with minorLinkCopy Citation
No secondhand dealer or pawn dealer shall purchase, barter, exchange, or otherwise receive any item described in Section 5-233 from a person under the age of eighteen (18).
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-237 (2026)
Sec. 5-237. Requirement for recordLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Each secondhand dealer or pawn dealer shall record or cause to be recorded the purchase, barter, exchange, pledge, or other receipt by him of any item described in Section 5-233 and also any subsequent disposition of that item from his possession. This Section does not apply to entities operating as a licensed Automotive Dismantler and Recycler as defined by Title 15 Section 501(b) of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Licensed Automotive Dismantler and Recycler entities are not secondhand dealers. Information shall be recorded on electronic data storage media in a format specified by the County Police Department and shall include:
(1)
The date, time, and place of the transaction;
(2)
The name and address of the principal, if the transaction is by an agent;
(3)
A comprehensive description of the items, including any visible identification marks such as initials, name of manufacturer, model and serial numbers, and owner applied identification numbers, and whether the item appears to be new or unused or in its original box or packaging;
(4)
Consideration received;
(5)
The name, address, telephone number, date of birth, and physical description, including the sex, race, distinguishing features, approximate age, height, weight, hair and eye color of the person or persons from whom the item is received and to whom it is disposed. The secondhand dealer or pawn dealer shall require two forms of identification of those persons by a driver's license or similar credentials. The record shall be signed by the dealer or dealer's agent, where applicable, and the seller; and
(6)
The secondhand dealer or pawn dealer shall retain a copy of the above records for three (3) years after the date of the transaction.
(b)
The requirements imposed upon a secondhand dealer or pawn dealer by this Section shall also be binding upon any employee or other person acting for the secondhand dealer or pawn dealer.
(c)
The completed County Police Department form shall be submitted by the secondhand dealer or pawn dealer to the County Police Department by:
(1)
Delivering or electronically transmitting the copy by 10:00 A.M. on the next business day after the record is made; or
(2)
Mailing the copy at the end of the business day when the record is made, by first class mail, from a post office or mailbox in Prince George's County.
(d)
All licensed secondhand dealers and pawn dealers shall be required to electronically report in the Regional Automated Property Information Database (RAPID) or other designated database. Fees relating to licenses and permits for secondhand dealers shall be exempt from the requirements of Section 813 of the County Charter. The County Police Department shall designate a business entity to collect an electronic reporting fee from secondhand dealers.
(e)
The secondhand dealers shall pay the RAPID fee or other designated database fee directly to the business entity designated by the County Police Department for reporting and payment.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-237.01 (2026)
Sec. 5-237.01. FeeLinkCopy Citation
(a)
A fee for a RAPID license as prescribed in the Table of Fees shall be paid by an applicant when the initial application for a license is filed; thereafter, unless the license is denied, suspended, revoked, or otherwise terminated, the license shall be renewed annually upon the payment of the license fee prescribed in the Table of Fees.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-238 (2026)
Sec. 5-238. Retention of itemsLinkCopy Citation
No secondhand dealer or pawn dealer and no employee or other person acting for that dealer shall dispose of any item described in Section 5-233 and received by the dealer until a period of thirty (30) days shall have elapsed after the date of submission or electronic transmission of the report required by Section 5-237, or the item is inspected by the County Police Department, whichever shall occur first. Where the dealer finds that the thirty (30) day waiting period constitutes a burden, he may contact the Police Department by letter stating his need for early action and requesting an expedited inspection. Within 96 hours after receiving the request, the Police Department shall approve or deny the request. The dealer shall retain, for an additional period of twelve (12) days, any item described in Section 5-233 if the County Police Department requests that the dealer retain the item and the County Police Department has reasonable cause to believe the item has been stolen. Items which are required to be retained by the provisions of this Section shall be tagged in compliance with regulations of the County Police Department and shall be securely stored in a separate location within the business, apart from other items of property. In any case, no item shall be sold or otherwise be removed from the location of the licensed business of the secondhand dealer or pawn dealer during the period of prescribed retention. The thirty (30) day holding period required by this Section shall not apply to pawned items which are redeemed with the original ticket.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-238.01 (2026)
Sec. 5-238.01. Release of stolen propertyLinkCopy Citation
(a)
A dealer shall hold for, and release to, an authorized member of the County Police Department any item of personal property listed in Section 5-233 located at the place of business of the secondhand dealer if:
(1)
The item is established to have been stolen;
(2)
The owner of the item or victim of the theft has:
(A)
Positively identified the item; or
(B)
Provided an affidavit of ownership; and
(3)
The stolen property report describes the item.
(b)
When the County Police Department no longer needs an item for evidence, the County Police Department shall give the item to its owner.
(c)
A secondhand dealer or pawn dealer who is required to release an item under this Subdivision is not entitled to reimbursement for any pledge or purchase price paid for the item from:
(1)
The County Police Department to which the secondhand dealer or pawn dealer released the item;
(2)
The owner of the item; or
(3)
The victim of the theft.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-239 (2026)
Sec. 5-239. Inspections by policeLinkCopy Citation
Any authorized member of the County Police Department may, during normal business hours and in the presence of the secondhand dealer or pawn dealer or his representative, inspect at the dealer's place of business the records required to be kept by this Division and any item of property listed in Section 5-233. If the secondhand dealer or pawn dealer refuses to permit such an inspection, a search warrant shall be obtained and the Secondhand Dealer of Pawn Dealer's License for the refusing dealer shall automatically be suspended pending the outcome of the inspection and until the suspension is terminated by the Director of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement. It shall be unlawful for a secondhand dealer or pawn dealer to operate as such while his license is suspended.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-240 (2026)
Sec. 5-240. RegulationsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Chief of Police of the County Police Department is authorized to issue regulations to implement this Division.
(b)
A pawn dealer or a secondhand dealer may be open to the public between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. and shall not conduct any business with the public at any other time.
(c)
The use of a drive-up window or other practice, service, or device that enables a patron to conduct business from a motor vehicle without leaving the motor vehicle is prohibited.
(d)
The Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement shall not issue a Pawn Dealer license to any person who has been issued a business license by the Department in accordance with Subtitle 5 of the Prince George's County Code, or been issued a license for the retailing of spirituous liquors.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-241 (2026)
Sec. 5-241. PenaltyLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Any person may be liable for a civil fine as provided for in Subtitle 28 for a violation of the provisions of this Division. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each and every day during which the violation continues is a separate violation.
(b)
Any person or corporation who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this Division or who makes any false statement in connection therewith or who gives false identification shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-242 (2026)
Sec. 5-242. DefinitionLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Automated purchasing machine means a self-service device that is designed to dispense money in exchange for personal property and is also known as a reverse vending machine. This section does not apply to an automated purchasing machine that is used exclusively for collecting recyclable materials, including paper, glass, metals, plastics, and cardboard, in accordance with a recycling program approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
(b)
Personal property means private property that is moveable. Personal property includes property that is serialized or normally has a unique identifier and gift cards or vouchers that have monetary value.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-243 (2026)
Sec. 5-243. ProhibitionLinkCopy Citation
(a)
The installation or operation of automated purchasing machines is prohibited within Prince George's County.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-244 (2026)
Sec. 5-244. PenaltiesLinkCopy Citation
(a)
A violation of Section 5-243 shall be punished by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months.
Prince George's County, Md., Code §§ 5-245–5-251 (2026)