The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Canvasser
means a person who attempts to make personal contact with a resident at his/her residence without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of:
(1) 
Attempting to enlist support for or against a particular religion, philosophy, ideology, political party, issue or candidate, even if incidental to such purpose the canvasser accepts the donation of money for or against such cause; or
(2) 
Distributing a handbill or flyer advertising a noncommercial event or service.
Handbill
means any printed or written matter, any sample or device, dodger, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, paper, booklet, or any other printed or otherwise reproduced original or copies of any manner.
Itinerant vendor or hawker
means a person who sets up and operates a temporary business on privately owned property, whether improved or unimproved, in the city, soliciting, selling, or taking orders for, or offering to sell or take orders for any goods or services. A temporary business is one that continues for 45 days or less; and exists whether solicitation is from a stand, vehicle, or freestanding.
Peddler
means a person who attempts to make personal contact with a resident at his/her residence without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of attempting to sell a good or service. A "peddler" does not include a person who distributes handbills or flyers for a commercial purpose, advertising an event, activity, good or service that is offered to the resident for purchase at a location away from the residence or at a time different from the time of visit. Such a person is a "solicitor."
Solicitor
means a person who attempts to make personal contact with a resident at his or her residence without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of:
(1) 
Attempting to obtain a donation to a particular patriotic, philanthropic, social service, welfare, benevolent, educational, civic, fraternal, charitable, political or religious purpose, even if incidental to such purpose there is the sale of some good or service; or
(2) 
Distributing a handbill or flyer advertising a commercial event or service.
(2008 Code, sec. 112.01; Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 1, adopted 2/18/2013)
No person shall act as a peddler, hawker, or solicitor within the city without first obtaining a permit in accordance with this chapter. A canvasser is not required to have a permit but any canvasser wanting a permit for the purpose of reassuring city residents of the canvasser's good faith shall be issued one upon request.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
Any person or organization (formal or informal) required or permitted to obtain a permit pursuant to section 28-21 may apply for one or more permits by completing an application form at the office of the city secretary containing the information detailed in section 28-23, during regular office hours.
(b) 
The permit shall be issued promptly after application but in all cases within 30 days of completion of an application, unless it is determined within that time that:
(1) 
An investigation reveals that the applicant or the applicant's employer, principal or organization falsified information on the application;
(2) 
Within ten years preceding the date of application, the applicant or the applicant's employer, principal or organization has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, or has been convicted of, a felony or misdemeanor involving fraud, deceit, theft, embezzlement, burglary, larceny, fraudulent conversion, misrepresentation, or misappropriation of property;
(3) 
Within ten years preceding the date of application, a civil judgment or administrative decision involving fraud, deceit, theft, embezzlement, burglary, larceny, fraudulent conversion, misrepresentation, or misappropriation of property has been entered or ordered against the applicant or the applicant's employer, principal or organization;
(4) 
The applicant provided no proof of authority to act on behalf of the employer, principal or organization;
(5) 
The type of activity requires a bond, and the applicant or the applicant's employer, principal or organization has not complied with the bond requirements; or
(6) 
The application does not contain the information or documents required by section 28-23.
(c) 
The denial and the reasons for the denial shall be noted on the application, and the applicant shall be notified of the denial by notice mailed to the applicant and the applicant's employer, principal or organization at the address shown on the application or the last known address. The notice of denial shall be mailed within 30 days of the receipt of the application.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
The applicant (person or organization) shall provide the following information for each permit requested:
(1) 
Name of applicant;
(2) 
Number of permits required;
(3) 
The name, physical description and photograph of each person for which a permit is requested. In lieu of this information, a driver's license, state identification card, passport, or other government-issued identification card (issued by a government within the United States) containing this information may be provided, and a photocopy taken. If a photograph is not supplied, the city will take an instant photograph of each person for which a permit is requested at the application site. The actual cost of the instant photograph will be paid by the applicant;
(4) 
The permanent and (if any) local address of the applicant;
(5) 
The permanent and (if any) local address of each person for whom a permit is requested;
(6) 
A brief description of the proposed activity related to this permit. (Copies of literature to be distributed may be substituted for this description at the option of the applicant);
(7) 
Date and place of birth for each person for whom a permit is requested;
(8) 
The motor vehicle make, model, year, color, and state license plate number of any vehicle which will be used by each person for whom a permit is requested;
(9) 
The name of the immediate last preceding three municipalities in which the applicant conducted similar activities;
(10) 
The approximate time period within which the activity is to be made, stating the date of the beginning of the activity, its projected conclusion and the proposed dates and times of the activity;
(11) 
Whether the applicant, upon any order obtained, will demand, accept or receive payment or the deposit of money in advance of final delivery, and if so, a copy of the bond required by section 28-25;
(12) 
If the applicant, or the applicant's employer or principal, has pleaded guilty, or nolo contendere to, or has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving fraud, deceit, theft, embezzlement, burglary, larceny, fraudulent conversion, misrepresentation, or misappropriation of property within ten years preceding the date of application, a description of each such conviction or plea, the name of the court and jurisdiction in which the complaint or indictment was filed and the date of the offense;
(13) 
If the applicant, or the applicant's employer or principal is a person against whom a civil judgment or administrative decision based upon fraud, deceit, theft, embezzlement, burglary, larceny, fraudulent conversion, misrepresentation, or misappropriation of property has been entered or ordered within ten years preceding the date of application, a description of any judgment or action, the case or cause number, if any, and the court or administrative agency that rendered the judgment or decision; and
(14) 
If the activity is to be conducted on behalf of a nonprofit organization, proof of such status shall be attached to the application.
(b) 
If a permit is requested for a peddler:
(1) 
The name and permanent address of the business offering the event, activity, good or service (i.e., the peddler's principal);
(2) 
A copy of the principal's sales tax license as issued by the state, provided that no copy of a sales tax license shall be required of any business which appears on the city's annual report of sales tax payees as provided by the state comptroller's office; and
(3) 
The location where books and records are kept of sales which occur within the city and which are available for city inspection to determine that all city sales taxes have been paid.
(c) 
If a permit is requested for a solicitor or canvasser:
(1) 
The name and permanent address of the organization, person, or group for whom donations (or proceeds) are accepted; and
(2) 
The web address for this organization, person, or group (or other address) where residents having subsequent questions can go for more information.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
It shall be the duty of the city secretary to investigate each person that has made an application for a permit.
(b) 
Upon completion of the investigation, the city secretary shall issue or refuse to issue a permit. All permits issued shall be valid for a period of one year, unless revoked sooner.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
Applicants who require cash deposits or advance payments for future delivery of goods or for services to be performed in the future or who require an agreement to finance the sale of goods for future delivery or for services to be performed in the future, shall furnish to the city a bond with the application in the amount determined in subsection (b), signed by the applicant and a surety company authorized to do business in the state:
(1) 
Conditioned upon the final delivery of goods or services in accordance with the terms of any order obtained;
(2) 
To indemnify purchasers for defects in material or workmanship that may exist in the goods sold and that are discovered within 30 days after delivery; and
(3) 
For the use and benefit of persons, firms, or corporations that may make a purchase or give an order to the principal of the bond or to the agent or employee of the principal of the bond.
(b) 
Such bond shall be in the sum as currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time and shall remain in full force and effect for the entire duration of the permit.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
The fee for the issuance of each permit shall be:
(1) 
For a peddler acting on behalf of a merchant a fee of $75.00 with more agents, in addition will be $10.00 for each agent.
(2) 
For a canvasser requesting a permit, no fee shall be charged.
(b) 
A nonprofit organization or a solicitor acting on behalf of a nonprofit organization is exempt from payment of the application fee and the bond requirement set forth in section 28-25.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
A permit issued pursuant to this chapter may be revoked or suspended by the city secretary, after notice and hearing, for any of the following reasons:
(1) 
Fraud, misrepresentation, or false statement contained in the application for a permit;
(2) 
Fraud, misrepresentation, or false statement made by a peddler, hawker, or solicitor in the course of conducting his activities;
(3) 
A plea or conviction of a crime described in section 28-23(a)(12);
(4) 
A judgment involving a matter described in section 28-23(a)(13);
(5) 
The type of activity requires a bond, and the bond requirements have not been complied with or the bond has expired or is no longer valid; or
(6) 
A violation of any of the regulations set forth in this chapter.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
A person who is denied a permit or whose permit is revoked or suspended by the city secretary may appeal the decision to the municipal court by filing notice of appeal with the clerk of the municipal court within ten days after the notice of the decision is mailed to the address indicated on the application or the last known address.
(b) 
Within ten days of the receipt of the notice of appeal, the clerk of the municipal court shall set a time and place for a hearing on the appeal which shall be not later than 40 days from the date of receipt of the notice of appeal.
(c) 
Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be delivered to the person by mail, sent to the address indicated on the application or the last known address of the appellant.
(d) 
The decision of the municipal court on the appeal is final. No other administrative procedures are provided by the city.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
The permit shall be worn constantly in a conspicuous place by the permit holder while conducting peddler, hawker, or solicitor activities in the city. A person commits an offense if the person engages in peddler, hawker, or solicitor activities and fails or refuses to show or display the permit upon the request of any person.
(b) 
A permit shall be used only by the peddler, hawker, solicitor, or canvasser for whom it was issued and may not be transferred to another person. A person commits an offense if the person wears or displays a permit issued to another person.
(c) 
A person who uses a vehicle in conducting peddler or solicitor activities shall post a sign located in a conspicuous place on or in the window of the vehicle, identifying the name of the person, company or organization that the person represents. If the name is an individual person, it must be followed by the word "solicitor." The lettering on the sign must be at least two and one-half inches high. A person commits an offense if the person violates this subsection.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if the person acts as a peddler, hawker, or solicitor at a residence:
(1) 
Before 8:00 a.m. or 30 minutes after sunrise, whichever is later; or
(2) 
After dark or 8:00 p.m., whichever is earlier on a given day.
(b) 
A person commits an offense if the person acts as a peddler, hawker, solicitor, or canvasser at a premises with a posted notice that such activity is not welcomed or invited. It shall be presumed that there is notice that peddler, hawker, solicitor or canvasser activity is not welcomed or invited when there is exhibited in a conspicuous place on or near the main entrance of the premises, a sign, not less than four inches by three inches in size, containing the words "NO SOLICITORS," "NO TRESPASSING," or words of similar meaning in letters not less than two-thirds of one inch in height.
(c) 
A person who is not the owner or tenant of a premises commits an offense if the person removes, defaces or otherwise renders illegible a sign placed by the owner or tenant of the premises pursuant to subsection (b).
(d) 
A person commits an offense if the person acts as a peddler, hawker, solicitor, or canvasser and remains or lingers on premises after being informed by the owner or tenant that they are not welcome.
(e) 
A person commits an offense if the person acts as a peddler, hawker, solicitor, or canvasser in an aggressive or intimidating manner. The term "aggressive or intimidating manner" means:
(1) 
Blocking the path of a person who is the object of the activity; or
(2) 
Following behind, ahead of or alongside a person who walks away from the solicitor after being solicited, approached, accosted or offered a handbill, leaflet or any other item.
(f) 
A person commits an offense if the person acts as a peddler, hawker, solicitor, or canvasser and distributes, deposits, places, throws, scatters, or casts a handbill at a residence except by:
(1) 
Handing or transmitting the handbill directly to the owner or occupant then present in or upon the premises; or
(2) 
Without using adhesive or tape, placing or depositing the handbill in a manner that secures the handbill and prevents it from being blown away, except that mailboxes may not be used when the use is prohibited by federal postal laws or regulations.
(g) 
A person commits an offense if the person secures a handbill at a residence in the manner described by subsection (f)(2):
(1) 
In a place that is more than five feet from the front door of the residence; or
(2) 
When another handbill has already been left or secured at the residence and has not been removed from the outside of the residence.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if the person acts as a peddler, hawker, or solicitor using a vehicle and:
(1) 
The peddling, hawking, or solicitation is conducted at a location within the right-of-way of any street or highway in the city which is designated as a highway or freeway, major or minor arterial on the city's thoroughfare plan; or
(2) 
The person stops the vehicle within a roadway to conduct business before the vehicle has been approached, called, or waived down by a prospective customer.
(b) 
A person commits an offense if the person acts as a peddler, hawker, or solicitor using a vehicle upon any street or highway within the city in a manner that blocks or impedes access to or from any alley, street or driveway, or impedes the flow of traffic on any public street or highway.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
A municipal court judge, in addition to imposing a fine for violation of any provision of this chapter, may institute proceedings to suspend or revoke the permit of a person if the person is required by law to obtain a permit from the city and the judge finds the person guilty of violating a city ordinance relating to peddlers, solicitors or itinerant merchants.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than $500.00 for each offense. Each attempted or completed act as a peddler, hawker, solicitor, or canvasser shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
(b) 
In case of any willful violation of any of the terms and provisions of this chapter, the city, in addition to imposing the penalties provided in subsection (a), may institute any appropriate action or proceeding in any court having proper jurisdiction, to restrain, correct or abate such violations; and the definition of any violation as a misdemeanor shall not preclude the city from invoking the civil remedies given it by the laws of the state.
(c) 
The court trying a civil or criminal cause under subsections (a) or (b) shall have the right and power upon judgment or conviction of any person for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter to decree and to make as a part of the judgment or conviction in such cause the forfeiture of the permit required by this chapter. When a permit is forfeited in this manner, no further permit shall be issued to that person for one year from the date of judgment or conviction.
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)
(a) 
This chapter does not apply to:
(1) 
The activity of a person with an appointment calling upon or dealing with manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, brokers or retailers at their place of business and in the usual course of business;
(2) 
The activity of a person acting at the request or invitation of the owner or occupant of a residence;
(3) 
Sales made under the authority of and by judicial order; or
(4) 
The activity of a government employee acting within the course and scope of their official duties serving, delivering or posting official notices including notices of code violations, water restrictions, utility outages, burn bans, special event impacts or security issues.
(b) 
It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution for any offense under this chapter that the activity of the defendant is listed in subsection (a).
(Ordinance 2013-015, sec. 2, adopted 2/18/2013)