Chapter 5.85
PEDDLERS, SOLICITORS AND TRANSIENT MERCHANTS
Sections:
5.85.020 Registration required.
5.85.050 No soliciting signs compliance.
5.85.060 Use of streets, parks or rights-of-way.
5.85.080 Enforcement and penalties.
5.85.010 Definitions.
A. “Peddler” means any person with no fixed place of business who goes from house to house, from place to place or from state to state, carrying or transporting goods, wares or merchandise and offering or exposing the same for sale, or making sales and deliveries to purchasers.
B. “Registered solicitor” means and includes any person or business which has obtained a valid certificate or registration as provided in this chapter.
C. “Solicitor” means any person who goes from house to house, from place to place, or from state to state, soliciting, taking or attempting to take orders for any goods, wares or merchandise, including books, periodicals, magazines or personal property of any nature whatsoever, including any services for future delivery.
D. “Transient merchant” means any person, firm or corporation who engages temporarily in the business of selling and delivering goods, wares or merchandise within the City, and who, in furtherance of such purposes, hires, leases, uses or occupies any building, structure or vacant lot, motor vehicle, or trailer. [Ord. 15-0402 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 04-0198 § 1.]
5.85.020 Registration required.
It is unlawful and a nuisance for any person to engage in commercial or business solicitation and/or canvassing or calling at residences without the previous consent of the occupant for purposes of soliciting orders, sales, subscriptions or business commercial information without first having registered in the office of the city manager. The applicant shall provide a written signed application stating:
A. The name, address, telephone number and contact person for the principal applicant;
B. The nature of the products or services involved, the names of the manufacturers, if any;
C. The proposed method of operation in the City;
D. A list of persons who will solicit or canvass in the City, including each person’s name, address and telephone number, a general description of each person; and
E. Any other information required by the city manager. [Ord. 15-0402 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 04-0198 § 2.]
5.85.030 Identification.
Every peddler, solicitor, registered solicitor or transient merchant shall not conduct business within the City limits without possessing a valid copy of their solicitor/peddler certificate at all times. [Ord. 15-0402 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 04-0198 § 3.]
5.85.040 Hours of operation.
Peddlers, solicitors, registered solicitors or transient merchants shall not operate within the City between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. without a prearranged appointment. [Ord. 15-0402 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 04-0198 § 4.]
5.85.050 No soliciting signs compliance.
No peddler, solicitor, registered solicitor, or transient merchant shall contact any residence that is posted by signage that such contacts are not desired by the residents. [Ord. 15-0402 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 04-0198 § 5.]
5.85.060 Use of streets, parks or rights-of-way.
No peddler, solicitor, registered solicitor or transient merchant shall have any exclusive right to any location in the public streets, parks or public rights-of-way, nor be permitted a stationary location, nor be permitted to operate in any congested area where operations might impede or inconvenience the public. For the purpose of this section the judgment of a law enforcement officer, exercised in good faith, shall be conclusive as to whether the area is congested or the public impeded or inconvenienced. [Ord. 15-0402 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 04-0198 § 6.]
5.85.070 Exemptions.
Except where noted the following shall be exempt from all provisions of this chapter:
Officers or employees of the City, county, State or federal government, or any subdivision thereof when on official business.
Charitable, religious, nonprofit organizations, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office or other similar civic, charitable, or nonprofit organizations shall be exempt from all provisions except the section pertaining to compliance with “No soliciting” signage.
Mobile food trucks with food or drink, prepared on site or prepackaged, selling and serving to the general public and licensed by King County public health department. [Ord. 15-0402 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 04-0198 § 7.]
5.85.080 Enforcement and penalties.
A. Violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor and any person, business, firm or corporation who violates any of the provisions herein shall upon conviction be punished by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days. [Ord. 15-0402 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 04-0198 § 8.]