Sec. 22-52Requirements generally
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Plain English: what this chapter covers
This is the chapter for anyone running a business in town: the yearly occupation tax (the city's business license), plus special rules for pawn shops, phone companies, arcades and coin-operated machines, fireworks stands, food trucks, and permits for special events on city property like festivals, parades and big cookouts in the park. Several parts are fairly recent (2015-2025), but some, like the pawnshop rules, are older and still describe paper record books.
(a) License required. Each pawnbroker doing business within the city shall be required to obtain a business license from the city clerk. No license shall be granted to any person to engage in the business of a pawnbroker until the applicant shall have paid the license fee prescribed and obtained approval of such application from the city council. The application for a license under the provisions of this article shall state the location of the place of business and the names of the owners or parties interested, directly or indirectly, and if a corporation, the names of all the officers and stockholders shall be stated.
(b) Limitation on issuance. No pawnbroker's license shall be issued to any person who has been convicted of the offense of receiving stolen goods or burglary or robbery. No pawnbroker shall employ anyone who has been convicted of the offense of receiving stolen goods or burglary or robbery.
(c) Review of application. No action on any application for a pawnbroker's license shall be taken by the city council until the police chief has reviewed such application and forwarded recommendations thereon to the city clerk in the manner specified in this section. The police chief shall conduct a criminal background check on the applicant and each employee engaged in the business of a pawnbroker.
This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.
Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH22BU_ARTIIIPA_S22-52REGE
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH22BU_ARTIIIPA_S22-52REGE
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