What's specific to Rochester

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

Secondhand dealer's licence, Rochester City Code Ch. 96, issued by the Chief of Police

Who it applies to

No business may carry on the business of secondhand dealer without a licence from the Chief of Police (§ 96-1(A)), and the definition reaches the purchase of secondhand gold, silver, platinum, diamonds or other precious gems, items containing them, jewelry and watches by name (§ 96-1(B)). Exemptions cover licensed junk dealers and scrap processors, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organisations, occasional garage and yard sales — one per year, up to three consecutive days — and sales the Chief of Police determines are for charitable purposes (§ 96-2).

Office

Rochester Police Department (licence and reporting), through the City Clerk's licensing process

Reporting system

Rochester Police Department — daily reports, with electronic transmission under § 96-15

What must be reported

A report for each item, or each group of substantially similar items in a single transaction, with an aggregate price of $10 or more. It gives the date, place and time of the transaction and where the dealer bought or received the goods; the specific type and number of items; the manufacturer, model number and year of manufacture if known and any unique identifying number; the colour, size, style and approximate age; and, for jewelry other than costume jewelry meeting the Chief of Police's standards, a description by weight where payment is by weight, style, gender, the number and configuration of stones, and any initials, distinguishing marks or inscriptions.

Reporting cadence

Daily — each dealer submits a report of each purchase of secondhand goods made that day (§ 96-14). Where the format for computerised reporting changes, dealers get at least 30 days to comply (§ 96-15(F)).

Holding period

5 daysNo item may be sold, defaced or broken down until five days have elapsed after the notice of purchase required by § 96-14 — so the clock runs from the report, not the purchase (§ 96-16(A)). A secondhand dealer who is also a pawnbroker may not do so with jewelry, watches, precious stones, precious metals or coins until 14 days have elapsed, which the ordinance attributes to § 47 of the New York State General Business Law. The hold continues beyond those periods if the Rochester Police Department requests it.

Fingerprinting

Unclear — check with the cityChapter 96 routes the licence through the Chief of Police and provides for additional inspections (§ 96-4) and grounds for denial (§ 96-20), but the code sections creating the licence do not themselves impose fingerprinting. Confirm what the current application asks for.

Zoning / home office

The licence attaches to licensed premises (§ 96-9), and holders must notify the Chief of Police of any change to the information on the application within 20 days (§ 96-5(H)). A dealer working from home should expect the premises themselves to be part of what is licensed and inspected.

Fees

$350.00 a year for a secondhand dealer's licence; $400.00 for a secondhand auto dealer's licence; $10 to replace a lost licence (§ 96-7)Renewal: Annual — licences expire on May 31 each year (§ 96-6)Source reviewed: 2026-09-22 (Rochester City Code Ch. 96; fee amended 6-16-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-188)