(A) Pawnbroker's license.
(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to establish or conduct a business of pawnbroker or to operate a pawnshop within the City of Monroe unless such person, firm or corporation has procured a license to conduct such a business in compliance with this article and the provisions of G.S. Chapter 66, Article 45, Part 1.
(2) Every application for a pawnbroker's license shall be on a form approved by the Chief of Police and shall be filed with the Chief of Police or his designee. Said application shall provide at least the following:
(a) The name and address of the person, and, in case of a firm or corporation, the names and addresses of the persons composing such firm or the officers, directors, and stockholders of such corporation, excluding shareholders of publicly traded companies;
(b) The name of the business and the street and mailing address where the business is to be operated;
(c) A statement indicating the amount of net assets or capital proposed to be used by the petitioner in operation of the business; this statement shall be accompanied by an unaudited statement from an accountant or certified public accountant, verifying the information contained in the accompanying statement;
(d) An affidavit by the petitioner that he has not been convicted of a felony; and
(e) A certificate from the Chief of Police, or Sheriff of the County, or the State Bureau of Investigation that the petitioner has not been convicted of a felony.
(3) The Police Department shall conduct an appropriate criminal records check and forward to any other appropriate city department for determination of compliance with other required city ordinances.
(4) Prior to issuing a license under this article, the Chief of Police or his designee shall be satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to hold a pawnbroker’s license, that the location is a suitable place for a pawn business and is in compliance with all provisions of G.S. Chapter 66, Article 45, Part 1, and applicable provisions of city ordinances. In addition, the Police Chief or his designee shall be satisfied that the applicant meets the following requirements:
(a) Is of good moral character; and
(b) Has not have been convicted of a felony within the last ten years.
(5) Prior to being issued a pawnbroker's license, the applicant shall file with the Chief of Police a bond as required by G.S. § 66-399.
(6) Upon approval of the application by the Chief of Police or his designee, and upon receipt of a license fee as established by City Council and the required bond, a pawnbroker’s license shall be issued to the applicant. The license must be renewed annually at a renewal fee as set by City Council.
(B) Precious metals dealer’s permit.
(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to establish or conduct a precious metals business within the City of Monroe, unless such person, firm or corporation has procured a precious metals dealer’s permit to conduct such a business in compliance with this article and the provisions of G.S. Chapter 66, Article 45, Part 2.
(2) Every application for a precious metals dealer’s permit shall be on a form provided Monroe Police Department, which shall be filed with the Police Chief or his/her designee. Said application shall provide at least the following information:
(a) The applicant's full name, and any other names used by the applicant during the preceding five years. In the case of a partnership, association, or corporation, the applicant shall list any partnership, association, or corporate names used during the preceding five years;
(b) Current address, and all addresses used by the applicant during the preceding five years;
(c) Physical description;
(d) Age;
(e) Driver's license number, if any, and state of issuance;
(f) Recent photograph;
(g) Record of felony convictions;
(h) Record of other convictions during the preceding five years;
(i) A full set of fingerprints; and
(j) Any other information required by G.S. § 66-407.
(3) All permits issued shall meet the following conditions and requirements:
(a) Be made under oath and notarized;
(b) A 30-day waiting period from the date of the application to issuance of the permit;
(c) Be issued for each separate location, place or premises, and each permit shall designate the location, place or premises where it applies;
(d) No permit shall be issued for a business conducted in a mobile home, trailer, camper, or other vehicle or structure not permanently affixed to the ground, nor for any room customarily used for lodging in any hotel, motel, tourist court, or tourist home;
(e) Not be transferable and no person other than the dealer named on the permit and that dealer’s employees may engage in the business of purchasing precious metals under the authority of the permit;
(f) No permit shall be issued to an applicant who has been convicted of a felony, involving a crime of moral turpitude, or larceny, or receiving stolen goods or of similar charges in any federal or court of this or any state, unless the applicant has had his or her rights of citizenship restored for a period of five years or longer immediately preceding the date of application; and
(g) All other conditions and requirements set out in G.S. § 66-407.
(4) Prior to issuing a license under this article, the Police Chief or his/her designee shall be satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to hold a precious metals dealer’s permit, and that the location is a suitable place for such business and is in compliance with all provisions of G.S. Chapter 66, Article 45, Part 2 and applicable provisions of city ordinances.
(5) Every employee engaged in the precious metals purchasing business shall register with the Police Department, pay the required fee, and otherwise meet all the requirements of G.S. § 66-407(b).
(6) Any dealer wishing to engage in a special occasion, such as a trade show, antique show, craft show or similar special event, shall obtain a special occasion permit from the Police Department, pay the required fee, and otherwise meet all the requirements of G.S. § 66-407(c).
(7) Prior to being issued a precious metals dealer’s permit, the dealer shall file with the Police Chief a bond as required by G.S. § 66-409.
(8) Upon approval of the application by the Police Chief or his/her designee, the dealer or employee shall pay the license fee, in an amount set in G.S. § 66-407(a), (b), and (c), at which time the precious metals dealer’s permit shall be issued to the applicant. The permit must be renewed annually at a renewal fee as set by general statute.
(Ord. O-2013-21, passed 10-1-13; Am. Ord. O-2014-01, passed 2-4-14)