[Adopted 6-1-1977 (Ch. 60 of the 1967 Code)]
For the purpose of this Article, the following words, as used herein, shall be considered to have the meanings herein ascribed thereto:
ESTABLISHED PLACE OF BUSINESS
A building or store in which the person transacts business and deals in the goods, wares and merchandise he hawks, peddles or solicits.
HAWKER and PEDDLER
Except as hereinafter expressly provided, any person, either principal or agent, who, in any public street or public place or by going from house to house or place of business to place of business, on foot or on or from any animal or vehicle standing in a street, sells or barters, offers for sale or barter or carries or exposes for sale or barter any goods, wares or merchandise, except as hereinafter exempted.
OCCASIONAL SALESPERSON
As used in this Article, includes any person, not resident in the City of Glens Falls, who from time to time shall establish premises rented within the City for less than 45 days for the purpose of buying, selling or bartering or who exposes for sale or barter any goods, wares or merchandise.
[Added 9-9-1981]
PERSON
One or more persons of either sex, natural persons, corporations, partnerships, associations, joint-stock companies, societies and all other entities of any kind.
SOLICITING
Includes any one or more of the following activities:
A. 
Seeking to obtain orders for the purchase of goods, wares, merchandise, foodstuffs or services of any kind, character or description whatever for any kind of consideration whatever.
B. 
Seeking to obtain prospective customers for application or purchase of insurance of any type, kind or character.
C. 
Seeking to obtain subscriptions to books, magazines, periodicals, newspapers and every other type or kind of publication.
D. 
Seeking to obtain gifts or contributions of money, clothing or any other valuable thing for the support or benefit of any charitable or nonprofit association, organization, corporation or project.
[Amended 9-9-1981; 3-8-1983]
Nothing in this Article shall be held to apply to any sales conducted pursuant to statute or by order of any court; to any person selling personal property at wholesale to dealers in such articles; to merchants having an established place of business within the City owned by the merchant or rented for more than 46 days where there are employees for soliciting orders from customers and delivering the same; to farmers and persons who produce such commodities or to dealers in milk, baked goods, heating oil and daily newspapers or the peddling of meats, fish, fruit and similar produce; to any honorably discharged member of the United States Armed Forces who has procured a license as provided by the General Business Law of the State of New York;[1] to persons hawking, peddling, soliciting or collecting for any bona fide not-for-profit organization such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League Baseball and similar not-for-profit organizations; or to persons soliciting or collecting for any bona fide charitable organization having a permanent office within a radius of 10 miles of the City of Glens Falls or providing a service or direct benefit to the residents of the City of Glens Falls. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, this Article will not apply if the enforcement would unlawfully interfere with interstate commerce. All persons named above shall be subject to restrictions hereinafter after delineated in §§ 156-21, 156-22, 156-23, 156-24 and 156-25.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 32 of the General Business Law.
[Amended 9-9-1981]
It shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the City of Glens Falls to act as a hawker, peddler, occasional salesperson or solicitor, as herein defined, without first having obtained and paid for and having in force and effect a license therefor.
[Amended 9-9-1981]
A. 
Application for a license shall be made upon a form provided by the municipality. The applicant shall truthfully state in full the information requested on the application as follows:
(1) 
The name and address of the present place of residence and length of residence at such address, also, the business address, if other than the present address.
(2) 
The address of the place of residence during the past three years, if other than the present address.
(3) 
The age of the applicant.
(4) 
A physical description of the applicant.
(5) 
The name and address of the person, firm or corporation or association whom the applicant is employed by or represents and the length of time of such employment or representation.
(6) 
The name and address of the employer during the past three years if other than the present employer.
(7) 
A description sufficient for identification of the subject matter of the soliciting in which the applicant will engage.
(8) 
The period of time for which the license is applied.
(9) 
The date or approximate date of the latest previous application for a license under this Article, if any.
(10) 
A statement of whether a license issued to the applicant under this Article has ever been revoked.
(11) 
A statement of whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a violation of a felony under the laws of the state or any other state or federal law of the United States.
(12) 
A statement of whether the applicant or representative has ever been denied a license or had a license revoked; if so, the particulars of such denial or revocation.
B. 
All statements made by the applicant upon the application or in connection therewith shall be under oath.
C. 
The applicant shall submit to fingerprinting by the Police Department of the municipality in connection with the application for the license.
D. 
The Chief of Police shall cause to be kept in his office an accurate record of every application received and acted upon, together with all other information and data pertaining thereto, and all licenses issued under the provisions of this Article and of the denial of applications. Applications for licenses shall be numbered in consecutive order as filed, and every license issued and any renewal thereof shall be identified with the duplicate number of the application upon which it was issued.
E. 
Except as hereinafter provided, no license shall be refused except for a specific reason and for the protection of the public's safety, health, morals, or general welfare. A license shall not be assignable. Any holder of such license who permits it to be used by any other person shall be guilty of a violation of this Article. No license shall be granted to a person under 18 years of age. No applicant to whom a license has been refused or who has had a license revoked shall make further application until a period of at least six months shall have elapsed since the last previous rejection or revocation.[1]
[Amended 9-9-1981]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 60-5, Revocation of certificate, was repealed 9-9-1981.
Upon receipt of such application, the original shall be referred to the Chief of Police of the City of Glens Falls, who shall cause such investigation of the applicant's business and moral character to be made as he deems necessary for the protection of the public good.
A. 
If, as a result of such investigation, the applicant's character or business responsibility is found to be unsatisfactory, the Chief of Police shall endorse on such application his disapproval and his reasons for the same and return said application to the City Clerk, who shall notify the applicant that his application is disapproved and that no license shall be issued.
B. 
If, as a result of such investigation, the character and business responsibility of the applicant are found to be satisfactory, the Chief of Police shall endorse on the application his approval and return such application to the City Clerk, who shall, upon payment of the prescribed fee, issue a license to the applicant. Such license shall contain the signature and seal of the issuing officer and shall show the name and address of said licensee, the kind of goods to be sold thereunder, the amount of fee paid, the date of issuance and the length of time the same shall be operative.
C. 
A license shall not be assignable. Any holder of such license who permits it to be used by any other person and any person who uses such license granted to any other person shall be guilty of a violation of this Article. Such license shall automatically expire on January 1 following the date of issuance thereof, but such license may provide for an earlier expiration date. No applicant to whom a license has been refused or who has had a license which has been revoked shall make further application until a period of at least six months shall have elapsed since the last previous rejection or revocation, unless he can show that the reason for such rejection or revocation no longer exists. Every licensee, while exercising his license, shall carry the license with him and shall exhibit the same upon demand to any police officer or citizen.
D. 
No license shall be granted to a person under 18 years of age.
[Amended 9-9-1981]
The license fees for each license issued pursuant to this Article shall be as follows:
A. 
The annual fee for hawking or peddling shall be $200.
B. 
The annual fee for solicitors shall be $200.
[Amended 3-8-1983]
C. 
The license fee for occasional sales persons shall be $500 per day or any part thereof during which the occasional salesperson is open for business.
[Amended 12-14-1982]
[Amended 9-9-1981]
Any licensee may employ two persons, and no more, to assist in selling and delivering his wares or in purchasing. In the case of peddlers, hawkers and solicitors, such persons shall act only when accompanying a licensed peddler, hawker or solicitor.
Every vehicle used by a licensed hawker, peddler or solicitor in or about his business shall have the name of the licensee and his address plainly, distinctly and legibly painted in letters and figures at least two inches in height in a conspicuous place on the outside of each side of every such vehicle, and such name and address shall be kept so painted plainly and distinctly at all times while such vehicle is in use during the continuance of the license.
A. 
Causes. Licenses issued under the provisions of this Article may be revoked by the Mayor of the City of Glens Falls, after notice and hearing, for any of the following causes:
(1) 
Fraud, misrepresentation or a false statement contained in the application for the license.
(2) 
Fraud, misrepresentation or a false statement made in the course of carrying on his business as a peddler.
(3) 
Any violation of this Article.
(4) 
The conviction of any crime or misdemeanor.
(5) 
Conducting the business of peddling in an unlawful manner or in such a manner as to constitute a breach of the peace or to constitute a menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the public.
(6) 
A complaint received by the City in violation of a "no soliciting" sign on a private residence or business.
B. 
Notice of hearing for revocation of a license shall be given in writing, setting forth specifically the grounds of complaint and the time and place of hearing. Such notice shall be mailed to the licensee at his last known address at least five days prior to the date set for hearing.
Every person desiring to secure the protection provided by the regulations pertaining to soliciting, hawking and peddling contained in this Article shall comply with the following directions. Notice of the determination by the occupant of giving invitation to solicitors, hawkers or peddlers or the refusal of invitation to solicitors, hawkers or peddlers to any residence shall be given in the following manner:
A. 
A weatherproof card, approximately three inches by four inches in size, shall be exhibited upon or near the main entrance door to the residence, indicating the determination by the occupant and containing the applicable words as follows:
(1) 
"Only solicitors registered in Glens Falls invited"; or
(2) 
"No solicitors invited."
B. 
For the purpose of uniformity, the cards shall be provided by the Chief of Police to persons requesting the same, at the cost thereof.
C. 
Such card so exhibited shall constitute sufficient notice to any solicitor of the determination by the occupant of the residence of the information contained thereon.
A. 
It shall be the duty of every solicitor, hawker and peddler, upon going onto any premises in the municipality upon which a residence as herein defined is located, to first examine the notice provided for in this article, if any is attached, and be governed by the statement contained on any notice. If the notice states "Only solicitors registered in Glens Falls invited," then the solicitor, hawker or peddler not possessing a valid license as herein provided shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises, and if the notice states "No solicitors invited," then the solicitor, hawker or peddler, whether registered or not, shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises.
[Amended 9-9-1981]
B. 
Any solicitor who has gained entrance to any residence, whether invited or not, shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises when requested to do so by the occupant.
It is hereby declared to be unlawful and shall constitute a nuisance for any person to go upon any premises and ring the doorbell upon or near any door or create any sound in any other manner calculated to attract the attention of the occupant of such residence for the purpose of securing an audience with the occupant thereof and engaging in soliciting, hawking or peddling, as herein defined, in definance of the notice exhibited at the residence in accordance with the provisions of § 156-22 of this Article.
[Amended 9-9-1981]
It is hereby declared to be unlawful and shall constitute a nuisance for any person, whether licensed under this Article or not, to go upon any premises and ring the doorbell upon or near any door or create any sound in any other manner calculated to attract the attention of the occupant of such residence for the purpose of securing an audience with the occupant thereof and engaging in soliciting, hawking or peddling, as herein defined, prior to 9:00 a.m. or after sunset, year round.
[Amended 9-9-1981]
A licensed hawker, peddler, occasional salesperson or solicitor shall:
A. 
Not falsely or fraudulently misrepresent the quantity or quality of any article offered for sale or offer for sale any unwholesome, tainted or diseased provisions or merchandise.
B. 
Keep the vehicle and receptacles used by him in a clean and sanitary condition and the foodstuffs and edibles offered for sale well covered and protected from dirt, dust and insects. The City Health Officer shall have the power to inspect the vehicle and receptacles so used at any time.
C. 
Not stand or permit the vehicle used by him to stand in one place in any public place or street for more than 10 minutes or in front of any premises for any time if the owner or any lessee of the premises objects.
D. 
Not create or maintain any booth or stand or place any barrels, boxes, crates or other obstructions upon any street or public place for the purpose of selling or exposing for sale any goods, wares or merchandise.
E. 
Not purchase any gold, silver or other precious metals or jewelry or antiques, objects of art, collectibles, old coins, stamps or any other artifacts without obtaining the name and address of the seller or sellers and without permitting the City Police Department to inspect the articles purchased and the names and addresses of the seller or sellers at the end of each business day.
F. 
Have in full force and effect a liability insurance policy in the face amount of $25,000 naming the City of Glens Falls as a coinsured party, where such policy shall be required by and in the form specified by the City Attorney.
G. 
Have in full force and effect a bond to the City of Glens Falls in the penal sum of $250, subject to the approval of the City Attorney as to form and surety. Any person aggrieved by the action of any licensed hawker, peddler, occasional salesperson or solicitor shall have the right by action on the bond for the recovery of money or damages, or both.
All orders taken by licensed solicitors who demand, accept or receive payment or deposit of money in advance of final delivery shall be in writing, in duplicate, stating the terms thereof and the amount paid in advance, and one copy shall be given to the purchaser at the time the deposit of money is paid to the solicitor.
It shall be the duty of the City Clerk to keep a record of all applications and of all licenses granted under the provisions of this Article, giving the number and date of each license, the name and residence of the person licensed, the amount of the license fee paid and also the date of revocation of all licenses revoked.
[Amended 12-18-1997 by L.L. No. 8-1997]
Each violation of this Article or of any regulation, order or rule promulgated thereunder shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 for each offense, and each day a violation continues shall be a separate offense.