Pawnbroker License

• The City Department of Consumer Affairs oversees pawnbroker licenses. This type of license requires first having the owner's business entity properly registered with New York state and obtaining a state sales tax certificate. The owner needs to secure a $10,000 surety bond, made in favor of the DCA. A correctly completed basic DCA license application must be submitted, which includes background information of all the business owners. There is also a special requirement that the owners be fingerprinted by the DCA.
  
  

Certificate of Occupancy

• All commercial real estate spaces must have a valid certificate of occupancy from the city's Department of Buildings to legally conduct business at that location. Any change in even the occupant or use requires an amended certificate of occupancy. If the new pawn shop is going to take over existing space with no physical changes requiring construction work, a "No Work" application needs to be filed. If the new shop is going to require any kind of construction work, to the interior or exterior, detailed plans have to be submitted and approved in advance. A certificate of occupancy will be issued after the work is completed to the Department's satisfaction.
  
  

Storefront Sign Permit

• All shops have some sort of storefront sign for the purpose of identifying the particular business. Signs that are over six square feet or are illuminated or mechanical need to have a valid sign permit from the city's Department of Buildings. Securing such a permit requires the filing of plans for the sign and its installation to the Department. These plans must be submitted by an engineer, architect and licensed sign hanger. Whether or not a sign permit is required, the sign must comply with the local neighborhood's zoning rules.
  
  

Other Requirements

• The pawn shop will need to secure certificates of unemployment insurance coverage, workers' compensation coverage and employee disability insurance coverage if it hires employees. These certificates and required informational posters must be displayed in the work area of the shop. Most shops are required to comply with fire laws that require the presence of at least working portable fire extinguishers. Fire and safety laws also require a clearly accessible and marked exit from the shop. The pawn shop must also comply with any local neighborhood zoning rules regarding the physical or operational aspects of its business.