[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Weston 11-7-1996, effective 12-26-1996 (Ch. 11, Art. I, of the 1981 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Act relating to hawkers and peddlers — See § SA-10.
Tag sales — See Ch. 175.
The following words, terms and phrases, and their derivations, when used in this chapter, shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
CHARITABLE
Includes the word "patriotic," "philanthropic," "social service," "health," "welfare," "benevolent," "educational," "civic," "cultural" or "fraternal," either actual or purported.
CONTRIBUTION
Includes the word "alms," "money," "subscription," "property" or any donations under the guise of a loan or money or property.
DEPARTMENT
The Police Department.
CHIEF
The Police Chief or his duly authorized representative.
PEDDLER
Any person who goes upon the premises of any private residence in the Town, not having been invited by the occupant thereof, carrying or transporting goods, wares, merchandise or personal property of any nature and offering the same for sale. This definition also includes any person who solicits orders and as a separate transaction makes deliveries to purchasers as part of a scheme to evade the provisions of this chapter.
PEDDLING
Includes all activities ordinarily performed by a peddler as indicated under the definition of "peddler."
PERSON
A natural person or any firm, corporation, association, club, society or other organization.
SOLICITATION
Includes all activities ordinarily performed by a solicitor as indicated under the definition of "solicitor."
SOLICITOR
Any person who goes upon the premises of any private residence in the Town, not having been invited by the occupant thereof, for the purpose of taking or attempting to take orders for the sale of goods, merchandise, wares, or other personal property of any nature for future delivery, or for services to be performed in the future. This definition also includes any person who, without invitation, goes upon private property to request contribution of funds or anything of value, or to sell goods or services, for political, charitable, religious, or other noncommercial purposes.
It shall be unlawful for any person 18 years of age or older to engage in peddling or solicitation activities within the Town of Weston without first obtaining a permit issued by the Police Department; provided, however, that the following are exempted from the provisions of this section:
A. 
Any solicitation made upon premises owned or occupied by an organization upon whose behalf the solicitation is made;
B. 
Any communication by an organization soliciting contributions solely from persons who are members of the organization at the time of such solicitation;
C. 
Any solicitation in the form of a collection at a regular meeting, assembly or service of a charitable person; or
D. 
Any sales by farmers and gardeners of the produce of their farms, gardens and greenhouses, including fruit, vegetables and flowers, or the sale, distribution and delivery of milk, teas, coffees, spices, groceries, meats and bakery goods, sales on approval, conditional sales of merchandise, or the taking of orders for merchandise for future delivery when full payment is not required at the time of solicitation.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
No person under the age of 18 shall be permitted to engage in peddling except as provided in this section.
B. 
A permit shall be obtained by a sponsoring person, company or organization for the conduct of any peddling or solicitation activities involving, in whole or in part, a sales force of one or more persons under 18 years of age.
C. 
The sponsor shall be responsible for supervising and controlling the conduct of all persons, including juveniles, peddling under the sponsor's permit.
D. 
The sponsor shall provide to each individual in its sales force a badge or other easily readable form of identification which identifies the name of the sponsor and the name of the individual. The sponsor shall require all individuals in its sales force to wear such identification so that it is clearly visible at all times when the individuals are peddling or soliciting.
Every person subject to the provisions of this chapter shall file with the Police Department an application in writing, on a form to be furnished by the Department, which shall provide the following information:
A. 
Proof of age, address and identification of the applicant, to be provided through the applicant's driver's license, articles of incorporation (for sponsors), or other legally recognized form of identification;
B. 
A brief description of the business or activity to be conducted;
C. 
The hours and location for which the right to peddle or solicit is desired;
D. 
If employed, the name, address and telephone number of the employer or, if acting as an agent, the name, address and telephone number of the principal who is being represented, with credentials in written form establishing the relationship and the authority of the employee or agent to act for the employer or principal, as the case may be;
E. 
A statement as to whether or not the applicant has been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or ordinance violation (other than traffic violations), the nature of the offense or violation, the penalty or punishment imposed, the date when and place where such offense occurred, and other pertinent details thereof;
F. 
Proof of possession of any license or permit which, under federal, state or local laws or regulations, the applicant is required to have in order to conduct the proposed business or which, under any such law or regulation, would exempt the applicant from the licensing requirements of this chapter; and
G. 
Two photographs of the applicant which shall have been taken within 60 days immediately prior to the date of filing of the application. The photographs shall measure two inches by two inches and show the head and shoulders of the applicant in a clear and distinguishing manner.
At the time the application is filed with the Police Department, a fee, as set forth by the Permit Fee Schedule on file in the Chief of Police's office, shall accompany each permit request. The fee may be waived for charitable nonprofit organizations. A veteran qualified as provided in § 21-37 of the Connecticut General Statutes shall not be required to pay the permit fee.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
Upon receipt of an application, the Chief of Police shall review the application as deemed necessary to ensure the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare.
B. 
If the Chief finds the application to be satisfactory, he shall endorse his approval on the application and shall, upon payment of the prescribed fee, deliver the required permit to the applicant.
C. 
The permit shall show the name, address and photograph of the permittee, the class of permit issued, the kind of goods or services to be sold or delivered, the date of issuance, and the length of time that the permit shall be in effect. The permit shall also show the permit number and identifying description of any vehicle to be used in carrying on the business for which the permit is issued.
D. 
A record of all permits issued shall be maintained by the Department for a period of two years.
A. 
Upon the Chief's review of the application, he may refuse to issue a permit to the applicant under this chapter for any of the following reasons:
(1) 
The location and time of solicitation or peddling would endanger the safety and welfare of the solicitors, peddlers or their customers;
(2) 
An investigation reveals that the applicant falsified information on the application;
(3) 
The applicant has been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or ordinance violation involving a sex offense, trafficking in controlled substances, or any violent acts against persons or property, such conviction being entered within the five years preceding the date of application;
(4) 
The applicant is a person against whom a judgment based upon, or conviction for, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation has been entered within the five years immediately preceding the date of application;
(5) 
There is no proof as to the authority of the applicant to serve as an agent to the principal; or
(6) 
The applicant has been denied a permit under this chapter within the immediate past year, unless the applicant can and does show to the satisfaction of the Chief that the reasons for such earlier denial no longer exist.
B. 
The Chief's disapproval and the reasons for disapproval shall be noted on the application, and the applicant shall be notified that his application is disapproved and that no permit will be issued. Notice shall be mailed to the applicant at the address shown on the application form or at the applicant's last known address.
All permits issued under the provisions of this chapter shall expire 30 days from the date of issuance, unless an earlier expiration date is noted on the permit.
At the same time the permit is issued, the Chief shall issue to each permittee a badge, which shall be worn by the permittee in such a way as to be conspicuous at all times while the permittee is soliciting or peddling in the Town.
Every person required to obtain a permit under the provisions of this chapter shall exhibit the permit when requested to do so by any prospective customer or by a member of the Police Department.
It shall be unlawful for any person, whether licensed or unlicensed, while conducting the business of a peddler or solicitor, to enter upon any residential premises in the Town where the owner, occupant or person legally in charge of the premises has posted, at the entry to the premises, or at the entry to the principal building on the premises, a sign bearing the words "No Peddlers," "No Solicitors," or words of similar import.
No person, while conducting the activities of a peddler or solicitor, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall enter upon any private property, knock on doors or otherwise disturb persons in their residences between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Any permit issued under this chapter may be revoked or suspended by the Chief of Police or his authorized representative, after notice and hearing, for any of the following reasons:
A. 
Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement contained in the application for a permit;
B. 
Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement made by the permittee in the course of conducting solicitation or peddling activities;
C. 
Conducting peddling or solicitation activities contrary to the provisions contained in the permit;
D. 
Conviction for any crime involving moral turpitude; or
E. 
Conducting peddling or solicitation activities in such a manner as to create a public nuisance, constitute a breach of the peace or endanger the health, safety or general welfare of the public.
Notice of a hearing for revocation of a permit issued under this chapter shall be provided in writing and shall set forth specifically the grounds for the proposed revocation and the time and place of the hearing. Notice shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the permittee at the address shown on the permit application or at the last known address of the permittee.
A. 
Any person aggrieved by the action or decision of the Chief of Police to deny, suspend or revoke a permit applied for under the provisions of this chapter shall have the right to appeal such action or decision to the Selectmen within 15 days after the notice of the action or decision has been mailed to the person's address as shown on the permit application form or to his last known address.
B. 
An appeal shall be taken by filing with the Chief a written statement setting forth the grounds for the appeal.
C. 
The Chief shall transmit the written statement to the Selectmen within 10 days of its receipt, and the Selectmen shall set a time and place for a hearing on the appeal.
D. 
A hearing shall be set not later than 20 days from the date of receipt of the appellant's written statement.
E. 
Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the appellant in the same manner as provided for the mailing of notice of action or decision.
F. 
The decision of the Selectmen on the appeal shall be final and binding on all parties concerned.
Any person claiming to be legally exempt from the regulations set forth in this chapter, or from the payment of a permit fee, shall cite to the Chief of Police the statute or other legal authority under which exemption is claimed and shall present to the Chief proof of qualification for such exemption.
A. 
Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be treated as an infraction and shall, upon conviction, be punishable by fine in the amount of $90 as set forth in Connecticut General Statutes § 21-38.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
In addition to any criminal enforcement, the Town or any individual may pursue any available civil remedies deemed appropriate and necessary.