[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Harding 12-12-1967 by Ord. No. 3-67; amended in its entirety 9-10-1984 by Ord. No. 7-84 (Ch. 51 of the 1990 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fees — See Ch. 171.
Peace and good order — See Ch. 285.
Walk-a-thons and bike-a-thons — See Ch. 383.
No person shall canvass, solicit or distribute circulars or other printed matter nor call from house to house in the Township without first having reported to and received a written permit therefor signed by the Mayor or his authorized representative. A copy of said permit must be carried by each such person in the course of his or her business and must be presented at the request of any citizen or member of the Police Department.
[Amended 9-21-2011 by Ord. No. 10-11]
The Township Clerk shall have the authority to grant permits to canvass, which shall specify the number of hours or days the permit will be in effect.
[Amended 3-12-1990 by Ord. No. 1-90]
Before the permit may be issued, each canvasser shall make a written and signed application to canvass, submitting it to the Township Clerk at least two weeks before canvassing is to commence and giving his or her full name and address, social security number, age, height, weight, place of birth, whether married or single, length and place of residence, whether or not previously arrested or convicted of a crime, by whom employed, address of employer, description of the project for which he or she is canvassing, period of time for which permit is applied and make, model, year, color and license plate number of any automobile to be used by the applicant. No canvassing permit shall be issued until the payment of a fee as provided in Chapter 171, Fees, except that no fee shall be charged when the canvassing is on behalf of an eleemosynary or nonprofit organization.
[Amended 9-21-2011 by Ord. No. 10-11]
The Township Clerk shall refuse to issue a permit in cases where the application of the canvasser, on further investigation of the applicant’s business or his or her criminal background check, reveals that the applicant has been convicted of a violation of an ordinance from any New Jersey municipality, disorderly persons' offense or crime involving violence, sexual abuse, fraud or other dishonesty.
A. 
No person shall canvass within the Township, except between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
B. 
The permittee shall exhibit his or her permit to any police officer or other person upon request.
C. 
The permittee shall be courteous to all persons in canvassing and shall not importune or annoy any of the inhabitants of the Township. No person shall enter or attempt to enter onto the property or house of any inhabitant of the Township if such inhabitant has posted a sign upon or near the main door to the house or the entrance to the property containing the words "No Solicitors" or words of like meaning.
D. 
Upon granting of the permit, the permittee shall deposit a sum as provided in Chapter 171, Fees, for the loan of a badge or button to be worn at all times while canvassing. On the expiration of the permit and upon the return of the button or badge, the deposit shall be returned. The Township Clerk shall be in charge of the badges or buttons, and he shall issue the same upon the exhibition of a written permit issued by the Mayor or his authorized representative.
[Amended 3-12-1990 by Ord. No. 1-90]
The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to:
A. 
A charitable, religious or civic organization which has its principal headquarters located in Harding Township.
B. 
School projects involving Harding Township students.
C. 
Candidates for political office or volunteers working on behalf of such candidates.
[Amended 9-21-2011 by Ord. No. 10-11]
A. 
Any permit granted under the provisions of this chapter may be suspended or revoked by the Mayor or his authorized representative upon satisfactory cause shown. Reasons for such suspension or revocation shall include:
(1) 
Arrest or conviction of a violation of an ordinance from any New Jersey municipality, disorderly persons' offense or crime involving violence, sexual abuse, fraud or other dishonesty subsequent to the issuance of the permit.
(2) 
Violation of rules and regulations set forth in § 123-5.
B. 
After revocation or during suspension, such permit shall be invalid. The permittee may file an appeal of the revocation or suspension of the permit with the Township Clerk not more than five days after the suspension or revocation of the license. Unless the permittee consents to a longer period, the Township Committee shall hear and determine any appeal not more than 25 days following the date the appeal is filed.