As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
REGISTERED SOLICITOR
Includes any person who has obtained a valid certificate
of registration as hereinafter provided, which certificate is in the
possession of the solicitor on his or her person while engaged in
soliciting.
RESIDENCE
Includes every separate living unit occupied for residential
purposes by one or more persons, contained within any type of building
or structure.
SOLICITING
Includes any one or more of the following activities:
[Amended 10-19-2022 by Order No. FY 23-038]
A.
Seeking to sell or offering to sell by sample, list, catalog
or otherwise for future delivery, or seeking to obtain orders for
the purchase of goods, wares, merchandise, foodstuffs, services of
any kind, character or description whatever, for any kind of consideration
whatever; or
B.
Seeking to obtain prospective customers for application or purchase
of insurance of any type, kind, or publication.
[Amended 10-19-2022 by Order No. FY 23-038]
Every person desiring to engage in soliciting as herein defined
from persons in residences within this City is hereby required to
make written application for a certificate of registration as hereinafter
provided. Such certificate shall be carried by the solicitor.
It is hereby declared to be unlawful 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 as herein defined, in defiance of the notice exhibited at the residence in accordance with the provisions of §
337-5 of this chapter.
[Amended 10-19-2022 by Order No. FY 23-038]
Upon approval by the Police Department and the Board of License
Commissioners of the application for a certificate of registration,
the applicant shall pay the City a fee in the amount determined by
the Police Department and the Board of License Commissioners. In the
event that any organization or group shall have more than one solicitor,
the fee shall be per solicitor.
It is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person, whether
registered under this chapter or not, to go upon any premises and
ring the doorbell upon or near any door of a residence located thereon,
or rap or knock to attract the attention of the occupant of such residence,
for the purpose of securing an audience with the occupant thereof,
and engage in soliciting as herein defined, prior to 9:00 a.m. or
after dusk of any weekday, or at any time on a Sunday or on a state
or national holiday.
[Amended 10-19-2022 by Order No. FY 23-038]
The City shall provide each solicitor with a badge-size permit
for solicitation, which must be displayed conspicuously on the outer
garment of the solicitor unless the Board of License Commissioners
otherwise waives this requirement.
[Amended 10-19-2022 by Order No. FY 23-038]
Any person who violates this chapter or the conditions of his/her
permit may be arrested without a warrant in the place where the offense
is committed pursuant to MGL c. 272, § 59. The penalty for
such a violation of this chapter shall be a fine not to exceed $200,
which may be recovered upon complaint before the District Court and
shall inure to the City, all in accord with MGL c. 40, § 21.