Secondhand Dealers / Resale Business

Your business requires a Graduated Business License (GBL).

If you still have questions about your business type, please contact our office at 314-622-4528 to find out the appropriate steps that you will need to follow to obtain a business license for the City of St. Louis.

Step 1: Obtain State Sales Tax Number

Step 2: Complete GBL form and visit our office

Visit the License Collector’s office in Room 104 of City Hall in person. For your convenience, you may download the Graduated Business License application and fill it out in advance.

Step 3: Obtain Statement of Clearance

In addition to visiting the License Collector’s office, you will also need to obtain a clearance from the Collector of Revenue’s office at the location below:

City Hall Room 410
1200 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 622-3291

St. Louis City Ordinance 63454
St. Louis City Revised Code Chapter 8.02.010 - Statement of Clearance requirement

Step 4: Obtain Occupancy Permit

You must also obtain an Occupancy Permit from the Building Division at the location below:

Building Division
Department of Public Safety
City Hall Room 425
1200 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 622-3313

Step 5

After filing with this office, your application is sent to the St. Louis Police Department for approval. The police department will contact you. Upon renewal of your Graduated Business License each year, your application will be sent for approval from the St. Louis Police Department.

All secondhand dealers are required to fill out and maintain a record of their purchases from sellers on a Secondhand Dealer Purchase Form.

NOTE: Some specific item purchases must be entered into the Law Enforcement Agency Data System (LEADS). Such items consist of but may not be limited to jewelry of any kind or description, or items made in whole or part of gold, silver or precious metals or gemstones including bullion or coins. Other items include but may not be limited to cellular phones, and other electronic communication devices. LEADS is an online reporting system accessible at www.leadsonline.com. 

You can download LEADS registration instructions HERE.

For any further questions about LEADS or the Secondhand Dealer Purchase Form, please contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

In addition, review St. Louis City Ordinance 69332 and its amendments to other city ordinances codified in the St. Louis City Revised Code, Chapter 8.82.010 through 8.82.135, regarding Secondhand Dealers. Your review of this information is critical in making sure your business is in compliance with St. Louis City law.

St. Louis City Ordinance 69332
St. Louis City Revised Code, Chapter 8.82.010 through 8.82.135

Once all clearances and payments are received, you will be able to obtain your license to do business in the City of St. Louis.

If you pay by check, the license application may be held for several working days until the check clears.

A separate Graduated Business License is required for each business location or trade name (St. Louis City Ordinance 52030).

Please visit our general information page to get more important information that you will need to know before obtaining your business license.

For more information about the License Collector's Office other resources and services, please visit our office home page. Once you are there, you will find a list of links to the various other resources and services provided by our office.