ROY -- Pawn shops will be few and far between in Roy, as city leaders plan to pass an ordinance that will limit pawn shops to one per 10,000 residents.
The current population is about 38,000, and four pawn shops are currently operating in the city. If one closes, another one could open, but that's about it, said City Planner Jared Hall.
At a recent city council meeting, Hall presented planning commission findings and recommendations.
City Councilman Brad Hilton had been requesting the change to the ordinance for quite some time.
Two years ago, the council passed an ordinance with the same limitation on payday lending stores.
Under the proposed ordinance, no pawn shops will be allowed within 600 feet of a residential zone or another pawn shop.
It also requires payday lenders to be separate from pawn shops. That restriction is also included in the payday lending ordinance.
Hall was also asked to add something to the ordinance about no outside displays.
Councilman Michael Stokes suggested making that a requirement with the conditional-use permit.
Hall explained that restriction was already part of the ordinance and that the city has been working with businesses to enforce it.
One pawn shop in particular has been struggling to meet that requirement, and Hall has been working personally with its corporate office to bring the store into compliance.
The biggest issue with outdoor displays has been with pawn and consignment shops, Hall said.
He suggested that clearer language about outdoor displays be added to the ordinance.
"Technically, the only stores allowed outdoor displays are vehicle sales," Hall said.
The city tries to bring businesses into compliance through persuasion. Council members are looking for a solution to the problem as part of cleaning up 1900 West.
The council plans to make the pawn shop restriction ordinance official after the city attorney reviews it.
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