Chapter 5.20
SOLICITING AND CANVASSING
Sections:
5.20.010 Permit—Required.
5.20.020 Permit—Application.
5.20.030 Investigation of applicant.
5.20.040 Appeal.
5.20.050 Permit—Term—Revocation.
5.20.060 Permit—Display.
5.20.010 Permit—Required.
It is unlawful for any person or persons to enter in or upon any private residence, apartment, property or premises in the town for the purpose of soliciting or canvassing the owner or occupants thereof for orders for goods, wares, merchandise or services of any character or description, or for the purpose of offering to give or furnish any goods, wares, merchandise or services to any such owner or occupant in order to induce or invite any such order or orders, or for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions for books, newspapers, periodicals, magazines, or any other thing, or donations of money unless such person or persons shall have first applied for and received from the chief of police of the town a permit so to do. (Ord. 534 § 1, 2002: Ord. 417 § 13(A), 1985: Ord. 399 § 1, 1983: Ord. 271 § 1, 1966)
5.20.020 Permit—Application.
A. Any person desiring to secure such a solicitor’s permit shall apply therefor in writing over his or her signature to the chief of police on forms to be provided by the chief of police, which application shall state:
1. The name and address of the applicant, including any temporary local address;
2. The name and address of the person, firm, corporation or institution, if any, by whom applicant is employed;
3. The length of service of such applicant with such employer;
4. The place of residence and nature of the employment of the applicant during the last preceding year;
5. The purpose for which such permit is applied for; and
6. The personal description and fingerprints of applicant for purposes of identification.
B. The application shall be accompanied by such credentials as to the identity of the applicant as may be reasonably required by the chief of police. (Ord. 417 § 13(B), 1985; Ord. 271 § 2, 1966)
5.20.030 Investigation of applicant.
Upon receipt of the application, the chief of police shall investigate the applicant and the applicant’s employer. No permit shall be issued to any person who has been convicted of the commission of a felony under the laws of the state of California or of any other state or federal law of the United States within five years of the date of the application, nor to any person who has been convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, nor to any person whose permit issued under this chapter has previously been revoked as provided in this
chapter. In any case other than those specified in the preceding sentence, the chief of police shall issue a permit within ten days after receipt of the application, such permit being subject to such conditions as to hours of operation and other conditions as are specified by the chief of police to be the minimum necessary to protect the public health, welfare and safety. Failure of the chief of police to issue a permit within ten days after receipt of an application therefor shall be deemed a denial thereof. (Ord. 417 § 13(C), 1985: Ord. 271 § 3, 1966)
5.20.040 Appeal.
Any applicant desiring to appeal from the action of the chief of police in denying a permit under this chapter may do so by appearing in person before the city council at its next succeeding meeting, and presenting to the city council a copy of the application therefor made by the applicant to the chief of police. An applicant so appealing shall notify the chief of police of his intention so to do in order that the chief of police shall have an opportunity to appear before the city council at the time of the hearing of such appeal. At such hearing the city council shall either affirm the action of the chief of police from which the appeal was taken, or, if satisfied that the applicant is eligible for a permit under this chapter, order the issuance of a permit upon such terms and conditions as are the minimum necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. (Ord. 417 § 13(D), 1985; Ord. 271 § 4, 1966)
5.20.050 Permit—Term—Revocation.
All permits issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be issued for a period of six months from the date thereof, and each such permit shall specify upon its face its expiration date. Any such permit may be revoked by the chief of police on proof of violation by the holder thereof of this chapter, or of any other ordinance of the town, or of any state or federal law, or of any false statement or misrepresentation in the application for such permit. (Ord. 417 § 13(E), 1985; Ord. 271 § 5, 1966)
5.20.060 Permit—Display.
All permits issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be issued for a period of six months from the date thereof, and each such permit shall specify upon its face its expiration date and any other special conditions as to hours of the day or days of the week during which such solicitation may take place. Any such permit may be revoked by the chief of police on proof that applicant or his employer are not of good character or reputation, or do not possess moral integrity, including proof of violation by the holder thereof of this chapter, or of any other ordinance of the town, or of any state or federal law, or of any false statement or misrepresentation in the application for such permit. (Ord. 363 § 6, 1978: Ord. 271 § 6, 1966)