For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
"Hearing officer"
means an individual designated by the city manager or a designee of the city manager thereof, to hear an appeal arising from this chapter, provided that the designee shall not be the permitting authority or the chief of police.
"Peddler"
means any person who goes from house to house, or from place to place, in the city to: (1) sell or take orders for the immediate delivery of; or (2) offer for sale or take orders for immediate delivery of any goods, wares, merchandise, services or anything of value in the possession of the peddler.
"Permit"
means the solicitor and peddler permit issued pursuant to this chapter.
"Permit holder"
means the person to whom the solicitor and peddler permit is issued.
"Permitting authority"
means the city of Manteca police department.
"Person"
means any individual, partnership, firm, association, corporation, joint venture or any other combination of one or more individuals for the purpose of doing business.
"Principal"
means the sponsoring company, organization or other entity which employs, authorizes or sponsors the solicitor(s) or peddler(s), whether as employees, agents or independent contractors.
"Solicitor"
means any person who goes from house to house, or from place to place, in the city: (1) selling or taking orders for the future delivery of; or (2) offering to sell or take orders for the future delivery of, goods, wares, merchandise, services or other things of value.
"Solicitation"
includes all activities ordinarily performed by a solicitor as defined in this section.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of peddler or solicitor within the city limits without first obtaining: (1) a city-issued business license; and (2) a solicitor and peddler permit therefor.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
Any person applying for a solicitor and peddler permit under this chapter must file with the chief of police a sworn statement, on a form provided by the city clerk, and pay an application fee in an amount set from time to time by resolution of the city council. The application shall contain or be accompanied by the following:
A. 
Name, description, copy of a current California driver's license (if not a licensed driver, copy of an identification card issued by the department of motor vehicles);
B. 
The residence and business addresses and telephone numbers of the applicant;
C. 
A copy of current city-issued business license;
D. 
The exact nature of the proposed business, including a brief description of the goods, wares, merchandise and services to be sold or furnished;
E. 
If an employee or agent, a full identification of the employer or principal;
F. 
The length of time for which the right to do business is desired;
G. 
Location or places of transacting business and residence for the past two years;
H. 
If a vehicle is to be used, a description of same together with vehicle ID number and license plate number;
I. 
Fingerprints of the applicant, taken by any local law enforcement agency;
J. 
One photograph of the applicant, taken within the last six months prior to applying for the permit, which picture shall be two inches by two inches showing the head and shoulders of the applicant in a clear and distinguishing manner; and
K. 
Prior convictions of a crime, felony, or misdemeanor, or violation of any ordinance, the nature, place and date of such offense and disposition of same.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
A. 
The application shall be accompanied by a permit processing fee in an amount as set, from time to time, by resolution of the city council.
B. 
A peddler or solicitor who offers for sale only goods or services with an asking price of less than fifteen dollars per item is exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter including the payment of fees. Such peddlers and solicitors are still subject to Sections 5.68.090 (Entry upon signed premises unlawful) and 5.68.100 (Hours of solicitation).
C. 
This fee shall not apply to an applicant who offers satisfactory proof of solicitation or sales on behalf of an organization that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other exemption provided by the Constitution or statutes of the United States or of the state of California.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
A. 
Upon review of the application, the chief of police may refuse to issue a solicitor and peddler permit to the applicant under this chapter for any of the following reasons:
1. 
The location and time of solicitation or peddling would endanger the safety and welfare of solicitor(s), peddler(s) or their customer(s) or potential customer(s);
2. 
An investigation reveals that the applicant falsified information on the application;
3. 
The applicant has been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state within the five years preceding the date of application;
4. 
The applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or ordinance violation in this state or any other state involving a sex offense or any violent acts against persons or property, within the five years preceding the date of application;
5. 
The applicant is required to register as a serious or high-risk sex offender pursuant to Sections 290 and 290.4 of the California Penal Code;
6. 
The applicant is a person against whom a judgment based upon, or conviction for, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation has been entered within the five years immediately preceding the date of application;
7. 
There is no proof as to the authority of the applicant to serve as an agent to the principal; or
8. 
The applicant has been denied a permit under this chapter within the immediate past year, unless the applicant can and does show to the satisfaction of the chief of police or designee that the reasons for such earlier denial no longer exist.
B. 
If the permit is disapproved, the reasons therefor shall be noted on the application, and the applicant and principal shall be notified that a permit will not be issued. Notice shall be mailed by the permitting authority to the applicant at the address shown on the application form, or at the applicant's last known address and to the principal at the address shown on the principal's business license.
C. 
Nothing set forth in this chapter shall be construed as granting the permitting authority, chief of police, or city council any discretion to grant, deny, suspend, or revoke any permit by reason of approval or disapproval of the philosophy, opinion, or belief of the applicant or permit holder.
D. 
Nothing set forth in this chapter shall be construed to disqualify a principal from obtaining a city business license solely on the basis of the denial of a permit to a particular agent, employee, member or applicant.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
A. 
All permits issued under this chapter shall last for a period of twelve months, beginning on July 1st, and expiring the following year on June 30th. A solicitor and peddler permit may be renewed for the next twelve-month period, provided that all applicable requirements are met and the permit is not currently suspended or has not been revoked within the preceding twelve months. The fee for renewal shall be the same as the application fee for a new solicitor and peddler permit.
B. 
The term of a principal's city business license shall be controlling as to any solicitor and peddler permit held by an agent or employee of the principal.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
Every person required to obtain a solicitor and peddler permit under the provisions of this chapter shall display and make clearly visible their solicitor and peddler permit at all times when engaged in the soliciting or peddling activities.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person other than the permit holder to use any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for a permit holder to transfer or authorize the use of his or her permit by any other person.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
It shall be unlawful for any person, whether licensed or unlicensed, while conducting the business of a peddler or solicitor, to enter upon any residential premises in the city where the owner, occupant or person legally in charge of the premises has posted, at the entry to the premises, or at the entry to the principal building on the premises, a sign bearing the words "No Peddlers," "No Solicitors," "No Solicitation" or words of similar import.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
No person, while conducting the activities of a peddler or solicitor, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall enter upon any private property, knock on doors or otherwise disturb persons in their residences between the hours of six p.m. and nine a.m.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
A. 
Any solicitor and peddler permit issued under this chapter may be revoked by the chief of police, for any of the following reasons:
1. 
Fraud, misrepresentations or false statement contained in the application for a permit;
2. 
Fraud, misrepresentations, or false statement made by the permit holder in the course of conducting solicitation or peddling activities;
3. 
Conducting peddling or solicitation activities contrary to the provisions contained in the permit;
4. 
Conviction of any crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; or
5. 
Conducting peddling or solicitation activities in such a manner as to create a public nuisance as provided in state and local law, constitute breach of the peace as provided in state and local law or endanger the health, safety or general welfare of the public.
B. 
Any permit issued under this chapter may be temporarily suspended pending a revocation hearing under Section 5.68.120 for any of the reasons enumerated in subsection A above. Notice of the suspension may be personally delivered or mailed to the person(s) address as shown on the permit application form. The temporary suspension shall expire upon the mailing of the decision after the hearing on revocation unless the temporary suspension is sooner withdrawn by the city.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
A. 
Upon revocation of any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter, the chief of police shall make the findings and reasons for revocation and transmit them to the city clerk who shall notify the permit holder. The permit holder whose permit has been revoked may appeal to the city council by filing a written notice of appeal to the city clerk within five days after the notification of the revocation.
B. 
Notice of a hearing for revocation of a permit issued under this chapter shall be provided in writing and shall set forth specifically the grounds for the proposed revocation and the time and place of the hearing, which time of commencement shall not be sooner than five nor more than fifteen business days after the notice is personally delivered or mailed to the person's address as shown on the permit application form. Notice shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or deposit in the United States mail, as applicable.
C. 
At the time of the hearing, the hearing officer shall hear all relevant evidence and, after the close of the hearing, shall render a decision as to whether or not the permit shall be revoked. Said decision shall be in writing, shall state specific reasons therefor, and that the decision to revoke shall become effective upon mailing to the person's address as shown on the permit application form. A decision to revoke a permit shall state that the permit holder has ten calendar days to appeal by filing a written notice of appeal with the city clerk.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
A. 
Any person aggrieved by the action or decision of the chief of police to deny, or of the hearing officer to revoke a permit applied for or held under the provisions of this chapter shall have the right to appeal such action or decision to the city manager or designee.
B. 
An appeal shall be taken by filing with the city clerk within ten calendar days after the notice of the action or decision has been mailed to the person's address as shown on the permit application form, a written statement setting forth the grounds for the appeal. The filing of a timely appeal shall stay a revocation and reinstate the temporary suspension.
C. 
The appeal shall be heard de novo by a hearing officer assigned by the city manager or designee held at least five business days after the appeal is filed. At the time of the hearing, the city manager or designee shall hear all relevant evidence and, after the close of the hearing, shall decide whether or not to revoke the permit. Said decision shall be in writing, state reasons therefor, and shall be mailed to the person's address as shown on the permit application form. The temporary suspension shall remain in force until the city manager or designee's decision is mailed.
D. 
The decision of the city manager or designee on the appeal shall be final and binding on all parties concerned.
E. 
If the applicant or permit holder does not file a timely notice of appeal pursuant to subsection B of this section, the permit holder shall have waived all rights to administrative remedy.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
Any person claiming to be legally exempt from the regulations set forth in this chapter, or from the payment of a permit fee, shall cite to the statute or other legal authority under which exemption is claimed and shall present to the chief of police proof of qualification for such exemption.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)
Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable as an infraction, pursuant to Section 1.16.010.
(Ord. O2023-13 § 1)