GENERAL REFERENCES
Streets not to be obstructed — See Code of Ordinances § 15-4.
Placing goods, wares in front of premises — See Code of Ordinances § 15-8.
Street stands, tents, booths, etc., for display of merchandise — See Code of Ordinances § 15-9.
[1]
Editor's Note: Municipal authority to license occupations and businesses, General City Law Section 20, Subdivision 13; licensing of armed forces veterans, dependents, General Business Law Section 32; provisions of state law supplemental to municipal regulations, General Business Law Section 35.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002,[1] § 1]
(a) 
The Common Council of the City of Poughkeepsie finds that there have been periodic major increases in the number of roadside peddlers selling their wares from vehicles on City streets and on vacant lots and unimproved land adjacent to major roadways in the City.
(b) 
The Common Council finds that this proliferation of roadside peddlers can be detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Poughkeepsie and to the safe flow of vehicular traffic on the roadways of the City of Poughkeepsie.
(c) 
Therefore, the Common Council determines that it is necessary and proper, pursuant to the powers granted unto the City of Poughkeepsie by virtue of General City Law § 20(13), to regulate the practice of hawking, peddling and soliciting.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance amended Article I, Hawkers and Peddlers, in its entirety. Said Art I was adopted by an Ord. of 3-4-1929, §§ 1, 2, 3, 5 and 18, and amended by Ord. of 9-17-1934, §§ 1, 2; Ord. of 5-20-1935, § 1; Ord. of 1-3-1938, § 1; Ord. of 6-19-1950, § 1; Ord. of 12-6-1954, § 1; Ord. of 6-5-1961, § 1; Ord. of 4-16-1990, § 1; Ord. of 7-15-1991, § 1; Ord. of 1-6-1992, § 1; Ord. of 10-5-1992, § 1; Ord. of 12-4-1997, § 1. Subsequent amendments are noted in the text where applicable.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them:
HAWKER or PEDDLER
Includes any person, either principal or agent, who from any vehicle or any public street or public place or by going from house to house, on foot or from a vehicle, sells or barters or offers for sale or barter or carrier or exposes for sale or barter any goods, wares or merchandise.
PUBLIC WAY
Any publicly owned land adjacent to and abutting any public street, road, highway, or sidewalk.
SOLICITOR
Includes any person who goes from place to place or house to house or who stands in any street or public place taking or offering to take orders for trade, services, goods, wares or merchandise.
VEHICLE
Includes any automobile, truck, wagon or cart, either propelled by hand, motor power or animals, or any other means of transportation of commodities or locomotion.
STAND
Includes any newsstand, table, bench, booth, rack, handcart, pushcart or any other fixture or device which is not required to be licensed and registered by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, used for display, storage or transportation of articles offered for sale or barter by a peddler or hawker.
LICENSEE
A person to whom a license has been issued pursuant to this article.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1; Ord. No. O-10-15, § 1]
No person shall publicly sell, hawk, peddle or solicit any property or article of merchandise on the streets, or public ways of the City, nor shall any person travel from house to house in any section of the City, either on foot or with a vehicle or conveyance, carrying and selling or offering for sale any property, article of merchandise, or service without first obtaining a license therefor as hereinafter provided, but nothing herein contained shall apply to:
(a) 
Sales made to merchants for retail trade;
(b) 
Sales made to any person of farm produce if such farm produce is peddled and sold by the producer thereof or his servants or employees or to persons selling newspapers or periodicals. The term "farm produce" shall not include nursery stock, potted plants or cut flowers; or
(c) 
Legitimate fundraising programs conducted by local not-for-profit, civic or religious organizations.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1; amended 1-3-2025 by L.L. No. 01-2025]
(a) 
Any honorably discharged veteran of the armed services of the United States who has obtained a veteran's license from the Dutchess County Clerk, under § 32 of the General Business Law, to hawk, peddle, vend or solicit trade on the streets and highways within the County of Dutchess shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 10-7 of this article. Upon approval of the veteran's application, the City Chamberlain will issue the license to said veteran to ply his or her trade in the City of Poughkeepsie, subject to all provisions of this article.
(b) 
Any honorably discharged veteran of the armed services of the United States who seeks a license from the City only shall be entitled to a 50% discount on the fee set forth in Section 10-7(a)(1).
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1; Ord. of 6-7-2004, § 1; amended 1-3-2025 by L.L. No. 01-2025]
(a) 
Applicants for a license hereunder shall file with the City Chamberlain a verified application, in duplicate, upon a form supplied by the City Chamberlain, which shall contain the following:
(1) 
The applicant's name, legal address and telephone number.
(2) 
The applicant's place of residence for the past five years.
(3) 
The applicant's business or employer for the past five years.
(4) 
The applicant's age, height, weight, eye color, hair color and place and date of birth.
(5) 
Two full face photographs of the applicant taken within at least 30 days of the application and measuring at least 1 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches.
(6) 
Whether or not the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony (disclosure shall only be required if the felony has not been sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.57 or by other statute or court order), and, if so, the date, court, statute violated and sentence of the court.
(7) 
Whether the applicant has been previously licensed in any occupation and if so, when, where and for what periods and if such previous license was ever revoked, the date of revocation and the reason thereof.
(8) 
Fingerprints.
(9) 
The name and address of the person, firm or corporation the applicant represents or is employed by.
(10) 
The particular business, trade or occupation for which the license is requested, including a brief description of the nature of the business and the kinds of goods or property to be peddled, hawked or solicited.
(11) 
The manner or means of conveyance in which said business or trade or occupation shall be conducted.
(12) 
If the application is for a license to handle food in any form, the applicant shall submit a valid permit issued by the Dutchess County Health Department indicating compliance with the provisions of the Dutchess County Public Health Regulations.
(13) 
If the applicant requires the use of weighing and/or measuring devices, such application shall be accompanied by a certificate, not more than six months old, from the Dutchess County Sealer of Weights and Measures certifying that all weights and measuring devices to be used by the applicant have been examined and approved.
(14) 
If the application involves the use of a motorized vehicle, proof that:
a. 
The applicant holds a valid state drivers license.
b. 
Such vehicle has a valid state motor vehicle registration.
c. 
The applicant's vehicle is insured; a description of vehicle, including size, name of locomotion.
(15) 
If the application involves the use of a nonmotorized vehicle, the applicant shall provide:
a. 
Size of the vehicle.
b. 
Means of locomotion.
(16) 
Proof that the applicant holds a New York State sales tax identification number.
(b) 
In the event that any other license or permit shall be required by any other governmental agency in connection with applicant's business, the same shall be produced by the applicant and the City Chamberlain shall duly note the same.
(c) 
Any change in circumstances with regard to the information provided in the application on the license shall be reported to the City Chamberlain within 30 days.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1; Ord. of 9-9-2002, §§ 1, 2; Ord. of 7-21-2003, § 1; amended 1-3-2025 by L.L. No. 01-2025]
(a) 
The application, accompanied by all required information and nonrefundable application fee and costs, in the amounts provided in Section 10-7 hereof, shall be submitted to the City Chamberlain.
(b) 
Upon receipt of such application, the City Chamberlain shall refer the same to the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department for such investigation of the applicant to be made as it deems necessary for the protection of the public good. The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department shall submit the applicant's fingerprints along with applicable processing fees to the State of New York Division of Criminal Justice Services for a criminal history record, which will be received and reviewed by the City of Poughkeepsie Police Chief or his designee.
(c) 
If such investigation shall prove the applicant to have been convicted of any felony, which has not been sealed pursuant Criminal Procedure Law § 160.57 or by other statute or court order the applicant may still qualify for a peddling license after the Police Department has considered the factors listed below. Such determination shall be on a form prepared by the Police Department and forwarded to the Chamberlain:
(1) 
The public policy of the State of New York, to encourage employment and business activities of persons previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses; and
(2) 
The time which has elapsed since the occurrence of the criminal offense or offenses; and
(3) 
The age of the person at the time of occurrence of the criminal offense or offenses; and
(4) 
The seriousness of the offense or offenses; and
(5) 
Any information produced by the person, or produced on his behalf, in regard to his rehabilitation and good conduct; and
(6) 
The legitimate interest of the public agency or private employer in protecting property, and the safety and welfare of specific individuals or the general public.
(d) 
If, as a result of such investigation of the applicant, no police record is found, the Police Department shall attach a statement to the application that it has no police record of the applicant and shall return the application to the City Chamberlain.
(e) 
(Reserved)
(f) 
Any applicant who has been denied a license shall be notified by mail of such rejection. Such notification shall be mailed within five business days of such rejection. The applicant shall then have 10 business days from the date of such mailing to appeal such rejection by the City Chamberlain to the Common Council. The Common Council, upon hearing the appeal by the applicant, shall approve or deny the issuance of the license.
(g) 
Such license shall contain the following:
(1) 
The name, address and photograph of the licensee.
(2) 
The kind of goods or services to be peddled or solicited thereunder.
(3) 
The amount of fee paid.
(4) 
The peddler's license number.
(5) 
The date of issuance and the date of expiration of such license.
(6) 
The type of license (i.e., on foot or by vehicle).
(7) 
The state license plate number of the vehicle if for a vehicle permit.
(8) 
The seal of the City of Poughkeepsie.
(9) 
The signature of the City Chamberlain or authorized deputy.
(h) 
The City Chamberlain shall keep a record of all licenses issued, and a list of such licensed peddlers shall be filed with the City Police Department.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1; Ord. of 7-21-2003, § 2]
(a) 
The following fees and costs for licenses authorized under this chapter are hereby established:
(1) 
Fees:
a. 
Annual fee for hawkers, peddlers and vendors: $200.
b. 
Semiannual fee, per six-month period: $125.
c. 
Daily fee for vendors only at special events: $25.
d. 
Replacement fee, lost/stolen license: $75.
(2) 
Costs:
a. 
The cost of the criminal history record check required by Section 10-6(b) hereof.
(b) 
License fees and costs shall be collected by the City Chamberlain at the time of the application and are not refundable, nor are they to be prorated or abated.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
All annual licenses issued hereunder shall terminate on the 30th day of April next succeeding the issuance thereof. All semiannual licenses shall terminate six months from the date of issuance thereof.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1; Ord. of 6-7-2004, § 2; Ord. No. O-10-15, § 2]
License renewal applications shall be made in person to the City Chamberlain, who shall issue the same in accordance with the terms of this article. The City Chamberlain, before issuing a renewal of an existing license, shall request the Chief of Police of the City to investigate whether the applicant is of good character and repute. The Chief of Police shall furnish to the City Chamberlain, in writing, the information derived from such investigation, together with a recommendation as to whether the renewal should be granted or refused. The criminal history record as provided for in Section 10-6(b) and the fingerprints required pursuant to Section 10-5 shall be valid for one year from the date thereof. All other requirements under Section 10-5 must be met.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
No license issued under the provisions of this article may be used or displayed at any time by any person other than the person to whom the license is issued to and whose name and picture appear on the license.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
(a) 
Each licensee shall carry on their person all licenses issued by the City Chamberlain at all times while the licensee is engaged in peddling and shall exhibit the same to any City official or police officer upon request.
(b) 
If a license issued under this title is lost or stolen, such shall be reported to the City Chamberlain within 10 days. Upon such notification, the City Chamberlain shall issue a replacement license at cost to the licensee in an amount as provided in Section 10-7.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
All weighing and measuring devices used by licensees shall be attached to a fixed standard suspended from the vehicle or conveyance used by such peddler, in order to ensure the accuracy of such device.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
A person licensed under the provision of this article and using a vehicle shall place upon either side of the body of such vehicle the words "licensed vendor" together with the number of such license. Signs may be painted on or affixed to the licensee's vehicle, provided they do not exceed the dimensions of the vehicle on which they are placed and that such vehicle can be driven with the sign affixed. The use of other moveable, portable or freestanding signs is prohibited.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
No person shall use any vehicle for vending any article of food that has been used for carting manure, rags, garbage, ashes or any material which would injuriously affect such food or contact with which would render such food unfit for human consumption without first thoroughly cleaning such vehicle and removing all traces of such former use.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
It shall be unlawful for any person to peddle, sell or vend any item in any of the streets or on any of the sidewalks in the City that is hazardous or injurious to the health, safety and well-being of another person.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
No person shall stop, either on foot or with any vehicle, in any of the streets or on any of the sidewalks in the City for the purpose of vending any goods or merchandise longer than while actually engaged in selling at any one time.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1; Ord. of 9-9-2002, § 3; Ord. No. O-10-15, § 3]
(a) 
In order to relieve the congested condition of pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the streets hereinafter mentioned, hawking and peddling are prohibited at all times on the following streets:
(1) 
Main street, including the circle at Waryas Park, between Waryas Park and the City/town line and on all streets intersecting Main Street between those two points for a distance of one block north and south of Main Street.
(2) 
East-West Arterial, NYS Route 44-55.
(3) 
NYS route 9, north- and southbound.
(4) 
All entrance and exit routes to and from Route 9.
(5) 
Innis avenue, County Route 75.
(6) 
Worrall Avenue, Main Street to NYS Route 44-55 East.
(7) 
Parker Avenue.
(8) 
Reade Place.
(9) 
Jefferson Street.
(10) 
Lincoln Avenue.
(11) 
Washington Street from Mansion Street, north to City/town line.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any peddler or solicitor to peddle, vend, solicit or sell his or her goods, services or wares within 250 feet of any church, synagogue or place of worship during services or any place occupied as a public or private school or college or for school or college purposes while in session, nor shall be or she permit his or her cart, wagon or vehicle to stand on any public highway within said distance of any such school or college property while in session.
(c) 
No licensee who is licensed by the City pursuant to this article shall peddle on privately owned lands unless specifically authorized by the Common Council to do so for an event such as a flea market, carnival, circus, community day or any similar event or activity.
(d) 
It shall be unlawful for any licensee in plying his or her trade to enter upon any premises or property, or to ring the doorbell or knock upon or enter any building whereon there is painted or otherwise affixed or displayed to public view any sign containing any or all of the following words: "No peddler," "no solicitors" "no agents" or other wording the purpose of which purports to prohibit peddling or soliciting on the premises.
(e) 
It shall be unlawful for any licensee in plying his or her trade to enter property on which there exists an apartment, condominium, cooperative or multiple-residence complex or a shopping complex to solicit on foot without the permission of the owner of such property to do so.
(f) 
It shall be unlawful for any licensee to ply his or her trade in any park of the City, unless a permit has been granted for such activity pursuant to Article II of Chapter 15 of this Code of Ordinances.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
(a) 
The carrying or wearing of any board or frame having thereon any sign or advertising matter and attached to or suspended from the body of any person upon any street, sidewalk or other public place in the City is hereby prohibited.
(b) 
No licensee shall display merchandise of goods for sale other than on his or her person or in the vehicle for which he or she is licensed pursuant to this article. Displays of merchandise on the ground or on moveable structures or stands outside the licensee's vehicle are prohibited.
(c) 
Only one awning or umbrella which is mounted on a vehicle licensed pursuant to this article is permitted per vehicle.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1]
(a) 
A license issued under this title may be revoked after notice and hearing, if requested pursuant to the requirements of Subsection (b) herein, for any of the following reasons:
(1) 
Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement contained in the application for the license.
(2) 
Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement made in the course of carrying on the business as peddler, hawker, or solicitor.
(3) 
Any violation of this Article I of Chapter 10 of the code of Ordinances of the City of Poughkeepsie.
(4) 
Conviction of any crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
(5) 
Conducting the business of peddling, hawking or soliciting in an unlawful manner or in such 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) 
Any violation of any other ordinance provision relating to the conduct of the business, the condition of the equipment utilized, the articles sold or the license required.
(b) 
Notice of the revocation of the license shall be made, in writing, to the licensee by the City Chamberlain, setting forth the grounds relied upon. Such notice shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the licensee at his or her known address, as contained in the application for the license, at least 14 days prior to the effective date of the revocation. Said notice shall include a hearing request form which must be completed and filed with the City Chamberlain at least five days before the effective date of the revocation. If a hearing is requested, the hearing shall be held by the City Chamberlain, as the licensing authority, or his or her designee. Said hearing shall afford the licensee an opportunity to be heard with regard to the grounds for revocation but shall be conducted on an informal basis, and compliance with technical rules of evidence shall not be required. The hearing shall be conducted expeditiously. If the hearing is held after the proposed effective date or revocation or a decision has not been rendered by the proposed effective date of revocation, the license shall remain valid until a written decision is rendered by the City Chamberlain revoking the license. The decision shall be mailed to the licensee. A decision revoking the license shall set forth the effective date of revocation of the license if different from in the original notice to the licensee. Failure to request a hearing or to appear at a requested hearing after notice has been given in accordance with the provisions of this section shall result in revocation of the license as of the effective date set forth in the notice to the licensee.
(c) 
A person, business or corporation who has had a license revoked pursuant to this section shall not be considered for a new hawking and/or peddling license in the City of Poughkeepsie for two years subsequent to the date of revocation of the license.
[Ord. of 4-22-2002, § 1; amended 1-3-2025 by L.L. No. 01-2025]
In addition to the remedy provided in Section 10-19, any person violating any provision of this article shall be guilty of a violation and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 or by imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The continuance of an offense for each twenty-four-hour period shall be deemed a distinct and separate violation. Enforcement shall be by appearance ticket returnable in Poughkeepsie City Court. Said ticket may be issued by the Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, Fire Inspector, Sanitation Inspector, or any officer of the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department in his or her own discretion or based upon a signed complaint.
[1]
Editor's Note: Municipal authority to license occupations and businesses, § 20, Subdivision 13, of the General City Law, provisions as to transient retail business, § 85 et seq. of the General Municipal Law.
[Ord. of 3-7-1932, § 2]
A "transient retail business" is one conducted in a store, hotel, house, building or structure for the sale at retail of goods, wares or merchandise, except for food products, and which is intended to be conducted for a temporary period of time and not permanently. If the place in which a business is conducted is rented or leased for a period of six months or less, such fact shall be presumptive evidence that the business carried on therein is a transient retail business.
[Ord. of 3-7-1932, § 4]
No person shall conduct a transient retail business in the City until he shall make written application to the City Chamberlain and a permit has been granted to conduct such business.
[Ord. of 3-7-1932, § 4]
The application for permit provided for in Section 10-24 shall be verified and shall contain the following information:
(a) 
The name and present address of the applicant.
(b) 
The length of time for which the permit is desired.
(c) 
A description and inventory of the goods, wares and merchandise to be offered for sale.
(d) 
The name under which such business is to be conducted.
(e) 
The location and street number of the premises within the City where such business is to be conducted.
(f) 
The term for which the premises in which said business is to be conducted have been leased and the name and address of the person from whom such premises have been leased.
[Ord. of 3-7-1932, § 5]
Before any permit to conduct a transient retail business shall be granted to any person, the applicant shall file with the City Chamberlain a bond of a surety company authorized to do business in the State of New York in the penal sum of $1,000 conditioned for the making and filing of the verified reports of stock and sales, and the payment of the tax levied thereon pursuant to Section 85-a of the General Municipal Law and this article. In lieu of a bond, a cash deposit of $1,000 may be made with the City Chamberlain.
[Ord. of 3-7-1932, § 6]
The person applying for a permit to conduct a transient retail business shall file with the Chamberlain an inventory of the goods, wares and merchandise he proposes to sell and shall weekly thereafter on the first day of each and every week file with said Chamberlain a verified report showing the amount of goods added to his stock during the previous week, the amount of goods sold and the gross amount received from such sales during the previous week.
[Ord. of 3-7-1932, § 3]
Pursuant to Section 85-a of the General Municipal Law, there shall hereafter be levied upon all persons conducting a transient retail business in the City a tax which shall be based upon the gross amount of sales and which shall be at the rate that other property in the City is taxed for the year in which said tax is levied.
[Ord. of 3-7-1932, § 6]
(a) 
Report. Within 10 days after the conclusion of a transient retail business, the person holding a permit therefor shall give written notification thereof to the City Chamberlain.
(b) 
Levy, collection of tax. At the conclusion of such transient business said Chamberlain shall present said reports to the Common Council of the City, which shall levy and assess a tax against the person conducting such transient retail business based upon the gross amount of such sales, as provided in Section 10-29. Such tax shall be due and payable upon the delivery of the said report with the tax extended thereon, to the City Treasurer, and shall be paid within 10 days thereafter.