All persons engaged in the business of a pawnbroker shall maintain a valid Priest River city pawnbroker license.
A. Pawnbroker Transactions Further Defined: The following transactions constitute the business of a pawnbroker, and any and all such transactions require a valid Priest River city license:
1. Loaning or advancing money to any person on the deposit of personal property of any kind as security for such loan or advancement, when the personal property may be repurchased by the party upon paying a sum of money;
2. Loaning or advancing money upon a chattel mortgage on personal property, where the said property is taken into the possession of the lender as security for the advancement or loan upon an assignment or pledge of future earnings;
3. Purchasing previously owned or used personal property on the condition that it may be repurchased by the seller within a fixed period of time for a fixed sum of money. For purpose of this chapter, purchasing shall also include trade.
B. Prima Facie Evidence Of Pawnbroker Business: It shall be prima facie evidence of a pawnbroker business for any person or place of business to advertise for any of the transactions listed in subsection A of this section, regardless of any other name, term or phrase by which the business can be described.
C. Single Act May Constitute Pawnbroker Business: The doing of any single act enumerated in subsection A of this section shall constitute a pawnbroker business within the meaning of this chapter.
D. License Application Procedure:
1. An application to conduct pawnbroker business shall be made to the city clerk in the form and manner as prescribed by that office.
2. An applicant who did not have a previous pawnbroker license within the year immediately preceding the current application shall be required to submit their fingerprints, obtained through an approved agency, with the completed application.
3. Upon receipt of an application, the city clerk shall cause an investigation to be made by the Priest River police department to determine if the applicant meets the qualifications enumerated in subsection E of this section. In addition, the premises which the applicant seeks to use must be deemed suitably located for enforcement purposes having due regard to the type and character of business and traffic in the locale of the proposed business. The proposed premises must also comply with all zoning regulations of the city of Priest River, and all state and local fire regulations.
4. If upon a completed investigation the applicant is determined to be qualified for a pawnbroker license, and the premises are deemed suitable, the city clerk shall tender the license upon payment of the annual nonrefundable licensing fee in an amount established by the Priest River city council and listed on the most current general fee schedule.
5. The pawnbroker's license shall expire at the end of one year from the date of its issuance, unless sooner revoked, suspended or relinquished. Licenses shall not be transferable either as to person or place.
6. The successful applicant for a pawnbroker's license shall be considered a pawnbroker for purposes of the requirements of this chapter.
E. License Qualifications:
1. The applicant and the person who will be principally in charge of the business must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
2. The applicant must not have had a previous business license of any type denied, revoked, or suspended by the city or any other state or local agency within the five (5) years prior to the application date.
3. The applicant must not have been convicted of a felony or theft related offense within the five (5) years prior to the application date.
F. Denial, Suspension Or Revocation: A violation of the provisions of this chapter may result in suspension, revocation, or denial of a pawnbroker license. The procedures, rights and responsibilities enumerated in section 1-4-4 of this code shall apply to any such denial, suspension or revocation. (Ord. 562, 4-7-2014)