§ 6.24.010. Declaration of policy.*

It is found and declared that the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the inhabitants of the county, and the police power of the county, require the regulation and control of all persons engaged in the business of pawnbrokers or in the operation of pawnshops or the pawning of motor vehicle titles (motor vehicle pawn). All pawnbrokers, as hereinafter defined in this chapter, shall be licensed and controlled so as to protect the public health, safety, morals, good order and general welfare of the inhabitants of the county and to safeguard the public. It is further found and declared that the right to obtain such licenses is a privilege and that the operation of a pawnbroker facility, when authorized by such license, is a privileged business subject to regulations, and that the license may be revoked for violation of the conditions of this chapter and Chapter 7.12. In conformity with the policy of this chapter, the following persons are declared not to be qualified to hold a license under the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 7.12:

(a)

A person who does not possess, or who does not have a reputation for possessing a good moral character;

(b)

A person who is under the age of twenty-one years;

(c)

A person who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

(d)

A person who the board of commissioners determines is not a suitable person to receive or hold a license, after due consideration for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, good order and general welfare of the inhabitants of the county;

(e)

A person who does not hold a pawnbroker's license if said applicant applies for a motor vehicle pawn license.

(Ord. 1679 § 1, 1995: Ord. 1502 § 1, 1993: Ord. 140, 1961; Ord. 133 § 1, 1961)

* This policy also applies to Chapter 7.12.