As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CANVASSING
The act of conveying or receiving information and opinions
by going from house to house or place to place whether by foot or
vehicle and without receiving compensation or remuneration except
such as may be provided by the principal, master, or employer of the
person engaged in canvassing.
MAYOR
The Mayor of the City of Shamokin.
PEDDLING
The act of selling or offering for sale goods, wares, food,
services, information or merchandise for immediate delivery and which
the person selling or offering carries with them by going from home
to home or place to place whether on foot or in vehicle.
PERSON
Any natural person, association, partnership, corporation,
firm or other business organization.
SOLICITING
The act of seeking, taking, requesting or otherwise attempting
to obtain contract, order or receive money for goods, wares, services
or merchandise for future delivery, or for subscriptions or contributions
of any kind by going from house to house or from place to place whether
by vehicle or by foot.
TRANSIENT RETAIL BUSINESS
Selling, soliciting or taking order for any food, goods,
wares or merchandise from a fixed location within the City on a temporary
basis, including, but not limited to, such activities conducted at
the time of special occasions or celebrations, for seasonal purposes,
or for holidays.
No person, whether licensed, permitted or otherwise, shall knock
at a door, ring the doorbell, or enter onto the property of or enter
any neighborhood, apartment building or dwelling unit upon which is
affixed notice that "no peddler permitted" or "no solicitation permitted"
or similar language prohibiting peddling, solicitation or canvassing,
unless such peddler, solicitor or canvasser is or has been invited
upon the premises by the owner, licensee or occupant thereof.
No license or permit permits any person to infringe on the privacy
of another. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in any way
to allow any person to engage in any actions that are in violation
of any of the laws of this commonwealth or of the United States of
America.
A license granted pursuant to this chapter for peddling or soliciting
shall be valid until December 31 of the year in which issued and,
upon the expiration of any license, if the person holding the same
desires to continue or renew soliciting or peddling, he shall be required
to file a new application for a license and pay a new license fee.
A license granted pursuant to this chapter for operating a transient
retail business shall be valid for the period of time paid for at
the time of application and, upon expiration of the license, if the
person holding the same desires to continue or renew the license,
he shall be required to file a new application for a permit, pay a
permit application fee and pay the applicable monthly fee. No transient
retail business can operate in excess of 180 days in a calendar year.
A permit granted pursuant to this chapter for canvassing shall
be valid for this period paid for at the time of application, and
upon the expiration of any permit, if the person holding the same
desires to continue or renew canvassing, he shall be required to file
a new application for a permit and pay a new fee.
No licensee or permittee under this chapter shall engage in
solicitation, peddling or canvassing between the hours of 6:00 p.m.
through 9:00 a.m.
Upon good cause shown, the City shall have the power and authority
to suspend or revoke any license or permit issued under this chapter
at any time with notice, in writing, to the holder. No part of a license
fee shall be refunded to any person whose license has been suspended
or revoked. Appeals from any suspension or revocation may be made,
in writing, within 10 days after such suspension by requesting a hearing
in front of the City Council.
In addition to the penalty of suspension or revocation of a
license or permit as provided above, any person who violates any provision
of this chapter, including peddling, soliciting or canvassing without
a license or permit, upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to
pay a fine of not more than $500, plus costs, and, in default of payment
of said fines and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30
days. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a new and
separate offense.
This chapter shall become effective immediately.