TO: Planning and Zoning Board
FROM: Elizabeth Taschereau, Director of Development Services
DATE: March 3, 2026
Title
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW EXISTING PAWNSHOPS TO EXPAND INTO ADJACENT TENANT SPACE
BACKGROUND: Pawnshops have been classified as a nonconforming use since 2012. This ordinance would allow existing pawnshops to expand into adjacent tenant space, with the following limitations:
As an exception to (B) and (C) above, an existing pawnshop that is legally nonconforming as of December 31, 2025 and maintains an active Local Business Tax Receipt issued by the City of Margate may expand its premises into contiguous building space, subject to the following:
1. The status of the pawnshop shall remain nonconforming, and all other limitations of this article remain applicable.
2. Any such expansion shall be limited to the original size and dimensions of a building, in its form and size as of December 31, 2025. If a building is enlarged after this date, the new area shall not be used for a pawnshop.
3. Any expansion of a pawnshop shall not include any areas outside of the building, including outside display or storage. Any such expansion shall not extend beyond current property lines.
4. A pawnshop may only expand once under this exception.
5. Any expansion of the pawnshop shall not exceed 100% of the existing floor area of the existing pawnshop, shall only expand through existing internal demising walls, and shall be limited to the same floor (level) as the existing pawnshop.
RECOMMENDATION: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
CONTACT PERSON: Elizabeth Taschereau, Director of Development Services