[Ord. No. 1603 §1, 6-20-2006]
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following terms, phrases and words shall have the following meanings unless otherwise indicated by context:
CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of Police of the City of Rock Hill Police Department or person acting in that capacity.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
The City Administrator of the City of Rock Hill.
MONTH
That period of time from one date in a calendar month to the corresponding date in the following calendar month, but if there is no such corresponding date, then the last date of such following month and when computations are made for a fraction of a month, a day shall be one-thirtieth (1/30) of a month.
NET ASSETS
The book value of the current assets of a person or pawnbroker less its applicable liabilities as stated herein. Current assets include the investment made in cash, bank deposits, merchandise inventory and loans due from customers, excluding the pawn service charge. Current assets do not include the investments made in fixed assets of real estate, furniture, fixtures or equipment; investments made in stocks, bonds or other securities; or investments made in prepaid expenses or other general intangibles. Applicable liabilities include trade or other accounts payable; accrued sales, income or other taxes; accrued expenses; and notes or other payables that are unsecured or secured in whole or part by current assets. Applicable liabilities do not include liabilities secured by assets other than current assets. Net assets must be represented by a capital investment unencumbered by any liens or other encumbrances to be subject to the claims of general creditors.
PAWNBROKER
Any person engaged in the business of lending money on the security of pledged goods or engaged in the business of purchasing tangible personal property on condition that it may be redeemed or repurchased by the seller for a fixed price within a fixed period of time.
PAWNSHOP
The location at which, or premises in which, a pawnbroker regularly conducts business.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other legal entity however organized.
PERSON OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER
A person who has not been convicted of any State, Federal or municipal offense involving drugs or narcotics, robbery, burglary, theft, stealing, receiving stolen property, embezzlement, extortion, forgery, gambling, bribery, perjury, any weapons offense or any crime of violence.
PLEDGED GOODS
Tangible personal property other than choses in action, securities or printed evidence of indebtedness, which property is deposited with, or otherwise actually delivered into the possession of, a pawnbroker in the course of his business in connection with a pawn transaction.
SECURED PERSONAL CREDIT LOAN
Every loan of money made in this City, the payment of which is secured by a security interest in tangible personal property which is physically delivered into the hands of the lender at the time of the making of the loan and which is to be retained by the lender while the loan is a subsisting obligation.
[Ord. No. 1603 §1, 6-20-2006]
A. 
Licenses Required. No person shall operate a pawnshop in the City of Rock Hill unless such person obtains a pawnshop license issued by the City in accordance with the general licensing provisions of the Rock Hill City Code and the specific provisions of this Chapter. A license is required for each place where pawnbroking business is transacted and no one shall act as an agent, employee or solicitor for any pawnbroker while such pawnbroker is engaged in such business at a place other than that specified in the license. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or transact a pawnbroker business in the City unless he shall keep posted in a conspicuous place in the place of business the license certificate therefor and a copy of all ordinances relating to pawnbrokers.
B. 
Licensing Year Is Calendar Year. All licenses issued under this Chapter are for a period of one (1) year or portion of one (1) year and expire on Midnight of June thirtieth (30th). The license fee for any license which is issued for a portion of a year shall be prorated by the City Administrator.
C. 
Application For New Pawnshop License.
1. 
An application for a new pawnshop license shall be under oath and on forms prescribed and provided by the City Administrator and shall contain other relevant information sufficient to inform the City Administrator regarding the qualifications of the applicant for a license as required by the City Administrator. At minimum, the application shall include:
a. 
The full name and address of the applicant and each prospective pawnshop employee, if known, for the past two (2) years;
b. 
The address where the business is to be conducted;
c. 
A statement as to whether the applicant and each prospective pawnshop employee, if known, have ever been convicted of a felony;
d. 
The name, address and phone number of at least two (2) persons of good moral character who may be used as character references for the applicant and each prospective pawnshop employee, if known; and
e. 
If the applicant is a partnership, the application shall include the required information for each partner and whether such partner is a general partner or a limited partner. If the applicant is a corporation or limited liability company, the application shall include the required information for each officer and treasurer and each shareholder owning twenty percent (20%) or more of the corporate stock.
2. 
The application shall be accompanied by:
a. 
An investigation fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00) if the applicant is unlicensed at the time of applying for the pawnshop or two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) if the application involves a second (2nd) or additional license to an applicant previously licensed for a separate location or involves substantially identical principals and owners of a licensed pawnshop at a separate location;
b. 
Proof of general liability insurance in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00);
c. 
An annual fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00); and
d. 
If the applicant is a corporation, a "certificate of good standing" issued by the Missouri Secretary of State.
D. 
Non-Use And Transfer Of License.
1. 
If a pawnbroker shall not conduct business for any continuous period of ninety (90) days at any time after the issuance of a license, the license shall be null and void.
2. 
Licenses are personal to the licensee and shall not be transferred to any other person. Any attempt to transfer such license to any other person shall render said license null and void. It shall be unlawful for any person to do business or to attempt to do business under a license transferred to him.
E. 
Investigation By City Administrator. The City Administrator shall investigate the facts contained in an application for a new pawnshop license and shall request the assistance of the Chief of Police and any other person who has knowledge of the facts contained in the application or who is authorized to investigate these facts.
F. 
Standards For Issuance. No license shall be issued to any person who:
1. 
Is not of good moral character or to any pawnshop employing persons who are not of good moral character; or
2. 
Makes a false statement of material facts in the application for a license or a renewal license; or
3. 
Fails to show that the pawnshop will be operated lawfully and fairly within the purposes of the Chapter; or
4. 
Has a felony or misdemeanor conviction which either directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the occupation of pawnbroker or which otherwise makes the applicant presently unfit for a license; or
5. 
Does not have net assets of at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) readily available for use in conducting business as a pawnshop for each licensed pawnshop; or
6. 
Does not file with the City Administrator a bond satisfactory to the City Administrator in an amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) with a surety company qualified to do business in this City. The aggregate liability of such surety shall not exceed the amount stated in the bond. The bond shall run to the City for the use of the City and of any person(s) who may be a cause of action against the obligor of such bond under the provisions of this Chapter. Such bond shall be conditioned that the obligor will comply with the provisions of this Chapter and by all rules and regulations adopted by the City Administrator and will pay to the City and to any such person(s) any and all amounts of money that may become due or owing to the City or to such person(s) from such obligor under and by virtue of the provisions of this Chapter or any rules adopted by the City Administrator pursuant to this Chapter during the time such bond is in effect.
If the City Administrator is unable to verify that the applicant meets the net assets requirement for a licensed pawnshop as required by Subsection (F)(5) hereof, the City Administrator may require a finding, including the presentation of a current balance sheet, by an independent certified public accountant, that the accountant has reviewed the books and records of the applicant and that the applicant meets the net assets requirement of this Chapter.
G. 
Exemption From Requirement For New Pawnshop License. No person who is lawfully operating a pawnshop on the date of the enactment of this Chapter shall be required to obtain a license under this Section in order to continue operating such pawnshop, so long as such person does not violate any other provisions of Sections 367.011 to 367.060, RSMo., or this Chapter. Such persons may continue to operate those pawnshops then in existence, but thereafter must receive annual renewal licenses even though the operation of such pawnshop might cause the number of pawnbrokers in the City of Rock Hill to exceed the number determined by operation of Subsection (H) of this Section. Such persons shall be required to pay the five hundred dollar ($500.00) annual fee prescribed in Subsection (I) of this Section, but such payment shall be in lieu of any occupational license fee.
H. 
Limitation On Number Of Pawnbrokers In The City Of Rock Hill. Subject to the provisions of Subsection (G) of this Section, no license for engaging in the business of pawnbroker shall be issued when the issuance thereof would increase the number of such licenses outstanding and in force at that time to more than one (1) per each five thousand (5,000) inhabitants residing in the City of Rock Hill, Missouri.
I. 
Subsequent License Applications. Subsequent to the first (1st) year for which a license is issued to a pawnbroker, each pawnbroker shall make a renewal application to the City Administrator. The application shall be filed by July first (1st) of the current licensing year and shall be on the forms and shall contain such information as the City Administrator may require. The forms shall contain such information as will assist the City Administrator in determining whether conditions have changed and whether a renewal license should be issued for the subsequent licensing year. The City Administrator may request the assistance of the Chief of Police or any other City employee or person having knowledge of the truth or falsity of the matters contained in the application or who is able to investigate those matters. The annual fee for the issuance of a renewal license is five hundred dollars ($500.00).
J. 
Suspension Or Revocation Of License.
1. 
If the City Administrator believes that any condition has changed such that the licensee would not be eligible to receive a pawnbroker's license or that the licensee is in violation of this Chapter or any State or municipal law, the City Administrator may suspend the license.
2. 
If the City Administrator believes that the licensee is capable of remedying the adverse change in conditions and if the licensee has not previously been in violation of this Chapter or State or municipal law, the City Administrator may suspend the license. If the City Administrator believes that the changed condition(s) are such that, if true, the licensee would not be able to remedy the situation in a reasonable time or if the licensee has previously been in violation of this Chapter or State or municipal law, then the City Administrator may revoke the license.
3. 
If the City Administrator believes that the safety, morals or peace of residents of the City of Rock Hill, Missouri, is immediately affected by the change in conditions, the City Administrator may suspend or revoke the license prior to a hearing, but he shall afford the licensee a hearing within five (5) days of the suspension or revocation if the licensee desires such a hearing. If the City Administrator believes that the changed condition is not of such imminent hazard to the safety, morals or peace of the residents of the City of Rock Hill, he may hold a hearing prior to taking any action. He shall give the licensee at least ten (10) days' notice of said hearing.
4. 
Any party aggrieved by a decision of the City Administrator may appeal to the Circuit Court of St. Louis County in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 536, RSMo., by filing an application for judicial review within fifteen (15) days of the action complained of.
K. 
Issuance Of Pawnshop Licenses Prohibited, When.
1. 
No license shall be issued for the operation of a pawnshop as defined within this Chapter wherein said pawnshop will be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of the property line of any church, synagogue, school or residentially-zoned property.
2. 
No license shall be issued for the operation of a pawnshop as defined in this Chapter wherein said pawnshop will be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of the property line of property on which there is located another pawnshop.
3. 
No license shall be issued for the operation of a pawnshop as defined in this Chapter wherein said pawnshop will be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of the property line of any residence, unless the licensee shall provide to the City Administrator written authorization for such operation from the owner of record of such property and each adult resident thereof.
[Ord. No. 1603 §1, 6-20-2006]
A. 
Pawn Number. The pawnbroker shall affix to each item of tangible personal property a tag upon which shall be inscribed a pawn number of legible characters which shall correspond to the number on any pawn ticket or receipt for payment.
B. 
Pawn Ticket For Pledged Property, Contents, Loss Of, Effect. At the time of making the secured personal credit loan, the lender shall execute and deliver to the borrower a pawn ticket for and describing the tangible personal property subjected to the security interest to secure the payment of the loan. The receipt shall contain the following:
1. 
The name and address of the pawnshop;
2. 
The name and address of the pledgor, date of birth, height, weight, sex, race or nationality and the driver's license number, military identification number, identification certificate number or other official number capable of identifying the pledgor;
3. 
The date of the transaction;
4. 
An identification and description of the pledged goods including, but not limited to, serial numbers, if reasonably available, and an estimated value of each item pledged;
5. 
The amount of cash advanced or credit extended to the pledgor;
6. 
The amount of the pawn service charged;
7. 
The total amount which must be paid to redeem the pledged goods on the maturity date;
8. 
The maturity date of the pawn transaction;
9. 
A statement to the effect that the maximum legal interest rate may not exceed two percent (2%) per month on the amount of any loan; and
10. 
A statement to the effect that the pledgor is not obligated to redeem the pledged goods and that the pledged goods may be forfeited to the pawnbroker sixty (60) days after the specified maturity date.
C. 
Employee Registration. Every employee of a pawnshop shall, within thirty (30) days from the issuance of any license, register his name and address with the Police Department of the City and shall have had his thumbprints, fingerprints and photograph taken and filed with the City and such employee shall receive a certificate showing compliance therewith, except that employees registered with the City need not register a second (2nd) time. The term "employee" means all persons working in a pawnshop, including any owner, any officer, treasurer or stockholder if the owner is a corporation, any partner or any other person who receives income in any manner from engaging in the operation of said pawnshop.
D. 
Affidavit Of Lost Ticket. If a pawn ticket is lost, destroyed or stolen, the pledgor may so notify the pawnbroker in writing and receipt of such notice shall invalidate such pawn ticket, if the pledged goods have not previously been redeemed. Before delivering the pledged goods or issuing a new pawn ticket, the pawnbroker shall require the pledgor to make a written affidavit of the loss, destruction or theft of the ticket. The pawnbroker shall record on the written statement the identifying information required, the date the statement is given and the number of the pawn ticket lost, destroyed or stolen. The affidavit shall be signed by a notary public appointed by the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 486.205, RSMo., to perform notarial acts in this State.
E. 
Receipt For Payment To Be Furnished. Upon any payment by a pledgor or upon the redemption of any pledge, the pawnbroker shall furnish to the pledgor a written signed receipt indicating the exact amount paid on principal, interest and any other charges. Said written receipt shall be either printed or stamped with the name of the pawnbroker and the address, shall include the date of payment and shall be legibly written so that the figures thereon are clearly discernible.
F. 
Pawn Register. Each pawnbroker shall keep a register of all items pawned at each pawnshop, which register shall contain the information listed in Subsections (A) and (B) of this Section. This record shall be kept in a bound book or in a continuous sheet of paper or tape, handwritten in ink or typed using a ribbon other than carbon, so that it will be obvious if an entry has been erased, obliterated or defaced. Such information may be made on cards, individual sheets or order pads if each sheet or card is numbered, so that if an entry is removed, it will be obvious.
G. 
Daily Report. Each pawnbroker must, before the hour of 6:00 P.M. of every day, except Sunday and days the pawnbroker is closed all day, make and deliver to the Chief of Police at the Police station a full, true and detailed copy of that day's pawn register. If no article or thing has been pawned or received during said day, a report must be made to that effect.
H. 
Photographic Records.
1. 
All pawnbrokers shall install a proper camera in operative condition and shall use such equipment to photograph every person and the receipts of pawnshop tickets given to such persons with all loans and with all purchases of items from persons.
2. 
All pawnbrokers shall display, in a prominent place, a notice to customers that they are required to be photographed when they pawn, sell or offer as a part or full payment any item to the pawnbroker.
3. 
All such photographs shall be available for development and developed by the pawnbroker upon request by the Chief of Police.
I. 
Retention And Use Of Records. Each licensee shall keep and maintain the originals of the foregoing records, or an original copy as may be appropriate, for a period of at least two (2) years from the date of the last transaction recorded therein and each such record shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by the Chief of Police or at his direction.
[Ord. No. 1603 §1, 6-20-2006]
A. 
Interest Rates. It shall be unlawful for any pawnbroker to charge interest exceeding two percent (2%) per month on any pledge. All pawnbrokers shall display, in a prominent place, a notice to customers that the maximum legal interest rate may not exceed two percent (2%) per month on the amount of any loan.
B. 
Safekeeping Of Pledges.
1. 
Every pawnbroker licensed under the provisions hereof shall provide a safe place for the keeping of the pledges received by him and shall have sufficient insurance on the property held on pledges, for the benefit of the pledgors, in case of destruction by fire or loss by theft. A pawnbroker shall not fail to exercise reasonable care to protect pledged goods from loss or damage.
2. 
In the event such pledged goods are lost or damaged as a result of a pawnbroker's negligence while in the possession of the pawnbroker, it shall be the responsibility of the pawnbroker to replace the lost or damaged goods with like kind of merchandise. Pawnbrokers shall not be responsible for loss of pledged articles due to acts of God, acts of war or riots. Each lender shall employ a reputable company for the purpose of fire and theft security.
C. 
Loans Due, When — Return Of Collateral, When — Restrictions.
1. 
Every secured personal credit loan shall be due and payable in lump sum thirty (30) days after the date of the loan contract or, if extended, thirty (30) days after the date of the last preceding extension of the loan and if not so paid when due, it shall, on the next day following, be in default. The pawnbroker shall retain possession of the tangible personal property subjected to the security interest to secure payment of any secured personal credit loan for a period of sixty (60) days next following the date of default. If during the period of sixty (60) days the pledgor shall pay to the pawnbroker the principal sum of the loan, with the loan fee(s) and the interest due thereon to the date of payment, the pawnbroker shall thereupon deliver possession of the tangible property to the pledgor. But if the pledgor fails during the period of sixty (60) days to make payment, then the title to the tangible personal property shall, on the day following the expiration of the period of sixty (60) days, pass to the pawnbroker, without foreclosure, and the right of redemption by the pledgor shall be forever barred.
2. 
A pledgor shall have no obligation to redeem pledged goods or make any payment on a pawn transaction.
3. 
Any person properly identifying himself and presenting a pawn ticket to the pawnbroker shall be presumed to be entitled to redeem the pledged goods described therein.
D. 
Hold Orders.
1. 
Whenever any Peace Officer has probable cause to believe that property in possession of a pawnbroker licensed by the City of Rock Hill is stolen or embezzled, said officer may place a written hold order on the property. A hold order required by this Section shall contain the following:
a. 
Name of the pawnbroker;
b. 
Name, title and identification number of the Peace Officer placing the hold order;
c. 
Name and address of the agency to which the Peace Officer is attached and the offense number;
d. 
Complete description of the property to be held, including model number, serial number and transaction number;
e. 
Name of the agency reporting the property to be stolen or embezzled; and
f. 
Mailing address of the pawnshop where the property is held.
2. 
The pawnbroker or his designee shall sign and date a copy of the hold order as evidence of its receipt.
3. 
While the hold order is in effect, the pawnbroker may consent to release, upon written receipt, the stolen or embezzled property to the custody of the law enforcement agency to which the Peace Officer placing the hold order is attached. Such consent shall not be considered a waiver or release of the pawnbroker's property rights or interest in the property.
4. 
Except as provided in Subsection (D)(3) of this Section, the pawnbroker shall not release or dispose of the property except pursuant to a court order or the termination of expiration date, if any, of the hold order.
5. 
In the event criminal charges have been filed in any Missouri court involving property which is in the possession of a pawnbroker licensed by the City of Rock Hill and which may be needed as evidence, the appropriate prosecuting attorney's office may place a written hold order on the property. Such order shall contain the case number, the style of the case and a description of the property. The pawnbroker shall hold such property until receiving notice of the disposition of the case from the prosecuting attorney's office. The prosecuting attorney's office shall notify the pawnbroker in writing within fifteen (15) days of the disposition of the case.
6. 
Willful non-compliance by a pawnbroker with a written hold order shall be cause for the pawnbroker's license to be suspended or revoked. A hold order may be terminated at any time by written release from the law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney placing the initial hold order.
E. 
Lost, Stolen Or Encumbered Property — Police Cooperation.
1. 
Each pawnbroker shall notify the Police of any article pledged or attempted to be pledged, if the pawnbroker has reason to believe that said article was stolen or lost.
2. 
A pawnbroker shall have no recourse when a customer has pledged goods for the receipt of money except the pledged goods themselves, unless the pledged goods are found to be stolen, lost, mortgaged or otherwise pledged or encumbered. When a customer is notified by a Peace Officer that the goods he pledged or sold to a pawnbroker were stolen, lost, mortgaged or otherwise pledged or encumbered, the customer shall be liable to repay the pawnbroker the full amount the customer received from the pawn or buy transaction. A pawnbroker shall not charge any fee relating to the restoration of such property to its rightful owner.
3. 
Every pawnbroker shall give the Chief of Police notice of all pawned goods to be shipped out of town, which notice shall state the name of the pledgee and the destination and date of shipment. Such goods shall not be shipped for at least seven (7) days after delivery of the copy of the register to the Chief of Police.
4. 
Every pawnbroker shall, upon request, show and exhibit to any Peace Officer any article purchased, taken or received by the pawnbroker if the item is still in the possession of the pawnbroker.
F. 
Miscellaneous Regulations.
1. 
Pawnshop not to be used as a residence. No pawnbroker or member of the pawnbroker's family or employee or any other person shall be permitted to live in a pawnshop or in rooms connecting therewith.
2. 
Hours of operation. No pawnshop shall be open for business or receive as pawned, pledged or purchased or upon any condition whatsoever any article of personal property or other valuable thing between the hours of 8:00 P.M. on any day and 7:00 A.M. on the following day.
3. 
Keeping items seven (7) days. No pawnbroker shall destroy, melt down, dispose of, sell or deliver to any other person any item of tangible personal property until seven (7) days have passed from the date the item was received.
4. 
Dealing in weapons prohibited, when. No pawnbroker shall receive as security or otherwise conduct any transaction involving any kind of firearm, revolver, pistol, rifle, bowie knife, spring back knife, razor, metal knuckles, billy, sword, cane, dirk, dagger or other similar weapon, unless said pawnbroker is otherwise licensed by applicable State and Federal law to purchase and sell such weapons.
5. 
Secondhand goods. A pawnbroker shall not purchase or take in trade used or secondhand personal property unless a record is established that contains:
a. 
The name, address, physical description and the driver's license number, military identification number, identification certificate number or other official number capable of identifying the seller;
b. 
A complete description of the property, including the serial number, if reasonably available, or other identifying characteristic; and
c. 
A signed document from the seller providing that the seller has the right to sell the property.
6. 
No barred windows or doors. No building in which a pawnbroker shall conduct business shall have any bars or similar security features or structures on or in any window or door.
7. 
Additional restrictions. A pawnbroker shall not:
a. 
Accept a pledge from a person who is under eighteen (18) years of age;
b. 
Make any agreement requiring the personal liability of a pledgor in connection with a pawn transaction;
c. 
Accept any waiver, in writing or otherwise, of any right or protection accorded a pledgor under this Chapter or other law; or
d. 
Fail to return pledged goods to a pledgor upon payment of the full amount due the pawnbroker on the pawn transaction.
[Ord. No. 1603 §1, 6-20-2006]
The City Administrator may issue such rules and regulations as he or she deems necessary to implement this Chapter and the policies contained herein.
[Ord. No. 1603 §1, 6-20-2006]
It is the intention of the Board that this Chapter shall be read in harmony with all other ordinances of the City of Rock Hill and that such ordinances and provisions shall be so construed, interpreted, administered and applied as to reconcile any differences between them and this Chapter. To the extent that any such ordinances and provisions are determined to be irreconcilable with the provisions of this Chapter, but only to that extent, the provisions of this Chapter shall be deemed to have superseded the conflicting provisions.
[Ord. No. 1603 §1, 6-20-2006]
Any person operating a pawnshop without a license or otherwise in violation of the standards and requirements provided herein shall be guilty of a violation of this Section and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in Section 100.080 of this Code.