The purpose of this chapter is to secure for the residents of the Town the peaceful enjoyment of their homes and property by prohibiting door-to-door solicitation during those times when such solicitation is most intrusive and disruptive; to aid crime prevention and detection; and to ensure that persons engaged in door-to-door commercial solicitation have obtained required state registrations and permits.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Gorham 5-7-1991, eff. 6-8-1991. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
To offer goods, services or real property for sale or rent or to provide information for the purpose of promoting the sale or rental of goods, services or real property; provided, however, that offering goods or services for sale is part of fund-raising for a nonprofit organization shall not be commercial solicitation.
A.
It shall be unlawful to engage in door-to-door commercial solicitation without registration with the Town Clerk pursuant to this chapter.
B.
It shall be unlawful to engage in any type of door-to-door solicitation between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
C.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to home visits by prearranged appointment.
[Amended 8-5-2025 by Ord. No. 25-82]
Registration under this chapter shall be on forms provided by the Town Clerk. The form shall elicit at least the following information:
A.
Name, address and telephone number of the registrant;
B.
Physical description of the registrant;
C.
Name, address and telephone number of the registrant's employer;
D.
Description of the motor vehicles to be used by the registrant in conducting the solicitation;
E.
Brief description of the types of goods or services to be offered for sale by the registrant; and
F.
For any registrant whose activities would constitute the transient sale of consumer merchandise, as defined in 32 M.R.S.A. § 14701, a copy of the registration issued under 32 M.R.S.A. § 14702.
A.
The Town Clerk shall issue a proof of registration upon receipt of a completed registration form.
B.
Each registration shall expire 30 days after issuance, but shall be renewed by the Town Clerk for additional thirty-day periods upon request of the registrant.
C.
Each proof of registration shall contain the name, address, physical description and organizational affiliation of the permittee; a description of the solicitation activity to be engaged in; an expiration date; and the signature and seal of the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk shall keep a record of all registrations.
Every person engaged in door-to-door commercial solicitation shall have a valid proof of registration, as required by this chapter, in their possession at all times while so engaged in the Town and shall present the proof of registration for inspection upon request of any person.
A.
It shall be a violation of this chapter to engage in door-to-door solicitation activity prohibited by § 218-3 or to disregard a clearly visible sign on private property which prohibits solicitation.
B.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not more than $100 for each violation. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.