What is a Scrap Metal Dealer?

Any person who keeps and maintains a yard, covered or uncovered, space or place, within the City for the purpose of, and engaging in the business of, buying or selling, exchanging or storing of old or used metals, tinware, brass, copper, iron, lumber, old automobiles, or any other such type of material commonly called and referred to as "scrap metals."

What is a Junk Dealer?

Any person who keeps or maintains a yard, covered or uncovered, space or place, within the City for the purpose of, and engaging in the business of, buying or selling, exchanging or storing of old or used materials, bottles, glassware, paper, bagging, rags or rope, or any other type of material commonly referred to as "junk."

What is a Valuable Metal Dealer?

Any individual, firm, corporation, limited liability company, or partnership engaged in the business of purchasing and reselling valuable metal either at a permanently established place of business or in connection with a business of an itinerant nature, including junk shops, junk yards, junk stores, auto wreckers, scrap metal dealers or processors, salvage ards, collectors of or dealers in junk, and junk carts or trucks.  The term includes a core buyer.  The term does not include a person who purchases a vehicle and obtains title to the vehicle.

What is a Recycling Operations?

Any person who keeps or maintains a yard, covered or uncovered, space or place, within the City for the purpose of, and engaging in the business of, buying or selling, exchanging or storing of old or used materials, junk, scrap metals, or scrap materials.

Who can apply for a license?

If your establishment is within the South Bend City limits and you are planning to operate a Scrap Metal Dealers, Junk Dealers, Valuable Metal Dealers, or a Recycling Operation Facility, you must obtain an annual license.  Operating without a license in the city limits is prohibited and may result in fines per South Bend Municipal Code 4-4-51.

Where can I apply for a license?

You may apply for a license with the Department of Community Investment in the County-City Building at 227 W Jefferson Blvd., Suite 1400S.  For any questions, please contact the Business License Administrator at 574-235-5912.

 Application. 

HOW MUCH DOES THE LICENSE COST?

The application fess is $5.00.  Once the application is approved, the license fee is $250.00.  When the application is submitted, Code Enforcement, Fire Department, and the Police Department inspections and background checks will occur.  After the application has been approved, the license is mailed to the applicant.