What's specific to Newark

At a glance

Local details

Everything a city page adds on top of the state rules. Fields that weren't found in the source are marked so — confirm them with the city, never assume.

Permit required

Yes

Official name

Precious Metals and Gems licence (Newark Revised Ordinances ch. 8:23), issued by the Public Safety Director

Who it applies to

No one may carry on the business of purchasing precious metals or gems in Newark without this licence, and each location needs its own (§§ 8:23-2, 8:23-3). "Gold" and "silver" mean any article with gold or silver content regardless of fineness, so gold-plated and two-tone watches are in. A "dealer" is anyone who buys, transfers or takes on consignment those articles, jewelry or secondhand goods, and includes anyone advertising or soliciting their purchase or sale (§ 8:23-1) — an online "we buy watches" listing aimed at Newark sellers likely counts. Whether a dealer buying only steel watches needs the licence is not settled: the licence section speaks of "precious metals or gems", while the record, database and hold duties also cover "secondhand goods". The chapter does not apply to purchases from wholesalers or other legitimate suppliers, or to antique dealers as it defines them (§ 8:23-14). Ch. 8:23 is the only Newark chapter that reaches a used-watch dealer; there is no general secondhand-dealer chapter.

Office

Newark Public Safety Director (licence); the Division of Tax Abatement and Special Taxes sets scheduling — 920 Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Blvd, Rm. B-26, (973) 733-3770

Reporting system

Electronic database designated by the Newark Public Safety Director (the ordinance names no system or vendor)

What must be reported

Each purchase, pawn or consignment intake from the public goes on a numbered receipt and into the database: the seller's name, address, date of birth, phone and ID number; a full description including serial numbers; price and payment method; the seller's signature; a colour image of the seller's ID; and a colour image of every item (§ 8:23-8). The dealer pays for the system, not to exceed $300 per year. A bound record book with sequentially numbered pages, written in ink, is kept as well and stays on the premises open to police inspection without notice (§ 8:23-7).

Reporting cadence

Every transaction entered into the database by noon the next business day after the purchase or intake (§ 8:23-8).

Holding period

7 business daysAll precious metals, gems and secondhand goods purchased, for not less than seven business days from the time of purchase (§ 8:23-7(c)). Police may seize an article on reasonable suspicion and give a receipt for it (§ 8:23-10). If watches are "jewelry" under the state's used-jewelry statute, its longer hold, counted from a later start, still applies; Newark's period does not shorten it.

Fingerprinting

YesThe application includes a photograph and a complete set of fingerprints of each individual running the business day to day at the licensed premises (§ 8:23-5(b)). No licence is issued to anyone convicted of receiving stolen property (§ 8:23-11). The fingerprinting fee was not found.

Zoning / home office

Not researched. The licence is issued for the premises it names, one per location (§ 8:23-3); check Newark's zoning code separately before running the business from home or by appointment.A storefront likely also needs Newark's separate Retail Licence (ch. 8:34), which covers establishments selling merchandise "such as clothing, footwear, accessories": $500 biennial, expiring March 31, refunded less $30 if the licence is not granted. Its application requires a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate (§ 8:36-3).

Fees

Not confirmed — check with the cityRenewal: Biennial — Precious Metals and Gems licences expire on April 30 every second year (§ 8:23-4(b)). Database fee up to $300 per year on top (§ 8:23-8).Source reviewed: 2026-10-03 (Newark R.O. ch. 8:23 as replaced by Ord. 6PSF-A, 4-17-2019; no licence fee is stated in the chapter, the ch. 8:36 fee table, or the Division's page)