Second Hand Dealer Resolution and Licence Conditions - 2026

Overview

Carrying on a business as a second-hand dealer is an optional licensing activity under the terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

The types of businesses that currently require a licence are listed in the Second-hand Dealers' Resolution passed by the Council in 1983:

(a) Stamp dealers.

(b) Second-hand book dealers.

(c) Antique dealers.

(d) Second-hand jewellery dealers.

(e) Second-hand car dealers.

(f) Second-hand clothes dealers.

(g) Dealers in second-hand furniture and/or electrical and gas goods.

(h) Dealers in second-hand general goods.

The purpose of licensing these businesses is to prevent crime and to ensure public safety. Every person who applies for a licence is assessed to check that they are ‘fit and proper’ to have a licence, which means that a Police Scotland background check is carried out on them.

The range of second-hand goods has expanded, and sales methods have changed significantly in recent years, especially because of developments in computer/ mobile phone technology and e-commerce.

At its meeting on 1 December 2025 the Regulatory Committee approved a consultation on activities to become licensable under the Second-Hand Dealers' Resolution.

Committee also recognised the need to review and modernise the standard second-hand dealer licence conditions to ensure that they remain fit for purpose.

Read the report on the review of Second Hand Dealer Licensing

Read the current second-hand dealer licence conditions

Why your views matter

Your views will help to update the Council’s approach to the sale of second-hand goods across the city. Your comments may also identify other areas where the Council needs to adapt its existing policy and conditions framework.

The Council will engage with a variety of stakeholders, and the results of this engagement will be considered by Regulatory Committee in Autumn 2026.