[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Franklin 4-25-1968 by Ord. No. 403; amended in its entirety 4-9-1991 by Ord. No. 1630 (Ch. 179 of the 1990 Code). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 7-9-1991 by Ord. No. 1648; 4-11-1995 by Ord. No. 1890; 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
MOBILE RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT
Any movable truck, van, trailer, bicycle or other movable unit, including hand-carried, portable containers in or on which food or beverage is transported, stored or prepared for retail sale or given away at temporary locations.
MULTIPLE TRANSIENT MERCHANT FACILITY
A facility in which groups of transient merchants as defined herein band together to conduct functions commonly known as trade shows, craft shows and similar functions within the facility for the same dates and times.
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION or VENDOR
An organization, person or entity possessing a tax-exempt status which shall be evidenced by furnishing to the Township a tax exempt number provided by the State of New Jersey and/or the Government of the United States.
PEDDLER
A person, commonly referred to as a "peddler" or "hawker" or "itinerant merchant," who goes from place to place or house to house by traveling on the streets and carries with them goods, wares, merchandise or other things of value for the purpose of selling and delivering them to consumers.
SOLICITATION
To go in or upon private property in the Township of Franklin without having been invited to do so by the owner or occupant, for the purpose of:
A. 
Advertising, promoting, campaigning, advocacy, education, proselytizing, handbill distribution, canvassing, voter registration or selling any product, goods, wares, merchandise, service or other things of value, or
B. 
Conducting market research or a market or opinion survey regarding commercial products or services.
SOLICITOR
A person, commonly referred to as a "solicitor" or "canvasser," who engages in solicitation within the Township.
TRANSIENT MERCHANT
A person who, whether a resident of the Township or not, engages in temporary business within the Township of selling and delivering goods, wares, merchandise or services within the Township and who, in furtherance of such purpose, hires, leases, uses or occupies any building, structure, motor vehicle, tent, railroad, boxcar or boat, public room in hotels, lodging houses, apartments or shops, parking lot, sidewalk, street, alley or other place within the Township for the exhibition and sale of such goods, wares and merchandise, either privately or at public auction.
[Amended 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the safety and welfare of the residents of the Township, to prevent fraud and dishonest business practices from being perpetrated upon them and to protect their privacy while balancing such interests against the opportunity for commercial, political, religious, charitable and nonprofit organizations to exercise their rights of free speech, and to provide for traffic and pedestrian safety by regulating the use of the streets and property adjacent thereto by itinerant or transient merchants, to prevent extended parking or trespassing on private or public property, to prevent violations of Chapter 112, Land Development, and, in the case of mobile food vendors, to prevent violations of the State Sanitary Code, to protect traffic and pedestrian safety and prevent violations of the Motor Vehicle Code.
[Amended 9-24-1991 by Ord. No. 1671; 4-11-1995 by Ord. No. 1890; 9-9-2002 by Ord. No. 3316; 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
A. 
Except as otherwise provided herein, the license requirements of this chapter shall not apply to:
(1) 
Any person conducting a sale pursuant to statute or court order.
(2) 
Any person soliciting a vote or support for any political candidate or program or conducting voter registration.
(3) 
Any person engaged in delivering goods, wares, merchandise or other articles or things in the regular course of business to the premises of a person ordering or entitled to receive same.
(4) 
Any person delivering or soliciting newspapers.
(5) 
Any person conducting a sale within a multiple transient merchant facility as defined in § 271-1.
(6) 
Any person representing any entity who engages in solicitation and which:
(a) 
Qualifies for tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code;
(b) 
Qualifies for exemption from property tax under N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.6;
(c) 
Qualifies for exemption from sales tax under N.J.S.A. 54:32B-9; or
(d) 
Was created under or is otherwise subject to the provisions of Title 15A of the New Jersey Statutes.
B. 
Prior to engaging in solicitation in the Township, any person, nonprofit organization or vendor who meets the requirements for license exemption set forth in this section shall present to the Township Clerk documentation which verifies that the person, nonprofit organization or vendor satisfies the criteria for exemption. Upon presentation of such documentation, the Township Clerk will issue a certificate of exemption, which shall be kept in the possession of the entity while engaged in solicitation in the Township.
A transient merchant shall not be relieved from complying with the provisions of this chapter merely by reason of associating temporarily with any local dealer, trader, merchant or auctioneer or by conducting such transient business in connection with, as part of or in the name of any local dealer, trader, merchant of auctioneer.
[Amended 7-9-1991 by Ord. No. 1648]
It shall be unlawful for any transient merchant, itinerant vendor, itinerant merchant, peddler, hawker, or solicitor to sell, buy, dispose of or offer to sell or dispose of any goods, wares, merchandise, or other things of value or services in or on any portion of a public right-of-way.
[Added 11-12-1998 by Ord. No. 3017; amended 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
A. 
Any nonprofit organization or vendor conducting peddling or solicitation projects by children under the age of 14 shall designate the custodial parent or guardian as the designated representative for each child peddling or soliciting for the organization. The designated custodial parent or guardian shall be notified in writing of such designation by the organization.
B. 
The following additional regulations shall apply to peddling or solicitation by children under the age of 14:
(1) 
An adult over the age of 18 must accompany any child under the age of 14 who engages in public peddling or solicitation in accordance with this chapter.
(2) 
The term "public peddling or solicitation" used in this section shall be both door-to-door as well as peddling or solicitation in shopping centers.
(3) 
Penalties. Violation of this section shall, in the first instance, result in a written warning to the designated representative of the organization and such child from the Franklin Police Department. Upon a second offense, either by the same child or designated representative, the Chief of Police or their designated representative shall call the child and the designated representative of the organization to a meeting. The refusal or failure to attend such meeting requested by the Chief of Police or their designee shall constitute a third offense under this section.
(4) 
Exception. This section shall not apply to children's activities on Halloween.
[Amended 7-9-1991 by Ord. No. 1648; 8-11-1992 by Ord. No. 1727; 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person or entity shall engage in solicitation within the Township without first having obtained a license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Failure to obtain a license prior to solicitation shall constitute a violation of this chapter. Each day of solicitation without a valid license shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter.
[Amended 9-24-1991 by Ord. No. 1671; 11-12-1998 by Ord. No. 3017; 11-14-2000 by Ord. No. 3165; 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
A. 
Applicants for a license under this chapter shall file a written, sworn application signed by the individual if an individual, by all partners if a partnership, by the president if a corporation, and by the highest two officers if any association, society or other form of organization, with the Township Clerk, showing:
(1) 
The name or names of the person or persons having the management or supervision of the applicant's business during the time that it is proposed that it will be carried on in the Township; the local address or addresses of such person or persons while engaged in such business; the permanent address or addresses of such person or persons; the capacity in which the person or persons will act (that is, whether as proprietor, agent or otherwise); the name and address of the person, firm or corporation for whose account the business will be carried on, if any, and, if a corporation, under the laws of what state the same is incorporated.
(2) 
The place or places in the Township where it is proposed to carry on the applicant's business and the length of time during which it is proposed that the business shall be conducted. In furtherance hereof, the applicant shall be required to submit a sketch depicting the exact location on the property wherein the activities will be conducted and the distance from said location to the right-of-way line.
(a) 
In the event that during the life of the license the applicant desires to amend the location on the property wherein the activities will be conducted, the applicant shall be required to submit an amended sketch depicting the new location and obtain approval thereof, with all distances from said location to the right-of-way line.
(3) 
The place or places, other than the permanent place of business of the applicant, where the applicant, within the six months preceding the date of the application, conducted a transient business, stating the nature thereof and giving the post office and street address of any building or office in which such business was conducted.
(4) 
A statement of the nature, character and quality of the goods, wares or merchandise to be sold or offered for sale by the applicant in the Township; the invoice and quality of such goods, wares and merchandise, whether the same are proposed to be sold from stock in possession or from stock in possession and by sample, at auction, by direct sale or by direct sale and taking orders for future delivery; where the goods or property proposed to be sold are manufactured or produced; and where such goods or products are located at the time the application is filed.
(5) 
A brief statement of the nature and character of the advertising done or proposed to be done in order to attract customers; and, if required by the Township Clerk, copies of all such advertising, whether handbills, circulars, newspaper advertising or otherwise, shall be attached to the application as exhibits thereto.
(6) 
Whether or not the person or persons having the management or supervision of the applicant's business have been convicted of a crime, misdemeanor or the violation of any municipal ordinance, the nature of such offense and the punishment assessed therefor.
(7) 
Credentials from the person, firm or corporation for which the applicant proposes to do business, authorizing the applicant to act as such representative.
(8) 
Such other reasonable information as to the identity or character of the person or persons having the management or supervision of the applicant's business or the method or plan of doing such business as the Chief of Police may deem proper to fulfill the purpose of this chapter in the protection of the public good.
(9) 
In the case of application for a license as a mobile retail food establishment, the application shall clearly state if any cooking is done in or on the mobile equipment or vehicle. If any grease-laden vapor cooking operations are conducted, the cooking equipment shall be protected by an automatic fire suppression system and manual fire extinguishers as required by the Fire Prevention Department.
B. 
All such applications shall be filed at least 30 days from the scheduled date of the activity for which an application is sought.
[Amended 6-11-1991 by Ord. No. 1644; 9-24-1991 by Ord. No. 1671; 10-10-2000 by Ord. No. 3162; 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 3591; 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
A. 
The Township Clerk shall forward the application to the following departments:
(1) 
Mobile retail food establishment or other peddling or solicitation of food items: Police Department, Health Department.
(2) 
Door-to-door peddling or solicitation: Police Department.
(3) 
Canister drive with no tables, displays or other such equipment associated therewith: Police Department.
(4) 
Peddling or solicitation from a temporary location within or adjacent to another building and/or business with the use of tables, displays or other such equipment associated therewith: Police Department, Zoning Officer, and Division of Fire Prevention.
B. 
Investigation.
(1) 
The police shall make investigation of such person and such person's business responsibility and character deemed necessary for the protection of the public good. Further, the police shall examine such place or places to determine whether such place or places are likely to create traffic congestion or traffic hazards as a result of the location thereof or as a result of pedestrians or operators of motor vehicles utilizing such place or places.
(2) 
The Health Officer shall make investigation of the application to determine whether any applicable state statutes, regulations or municipal ordinances or regulations pertain to the operation and determine compliance of said operation with such statutes, regulations, and/or ordinances.
(3) 
The Zoning Officer shall examine such application to determine compliance with any applicable provision of Chapter 112, Land Development, as well as compliance with applicable provisions of this Code.
(4) 
The Division of Fire Prevention shall examine such application to determine compliance with all applicable statutes, codes and regulations pertaining to firesafety.
C. 
No license shall be issued to any transient merchant, or mobile retail food establishment where the location of any activity or activities forming a part of the applicant's business shall be closer than 25 feet to the right-of-way line of any street in the Township of Franklin.
D. 
If, as a result of such investigation, the applicant's character and business responsibility are found to be satisfactory or if it is determined that such place or places do not create a traffic safety hazard, the Chief of Police shall so certify in writing to the Township Clerk. Further, as a result of such investigation, the Health Officer shall determine that the activity is not regulated by any applicable state statute, regulation or local ordinance regulating health matters or, if so regulated, that the activity complies with all applicable statutes, regulations or ordinances, they shall so certify in writing to the Township Clerk. Finally, if, as a result of such investigation, the Zoning Officer shall determine that the proposed activity complies with all applicable provisions of Chapter 112, Land Development, and this chapter of this Code, they shall so certify, in writing, to the Township Clerk. The Township Clerk, upon receipt of all such written certifications, shall then issue a license. The Township Clerk shall keep a full record in their office of all licenses issued. Such records shall contain the number of the license, the date the same is issued, the nature of the business authorized to be carried on, the amount of the license fee, the expiration date of such license, the place where said business may be carried on under said license and the name or names of the person or persons authorized to carry on same.
E. 
Any license issued herein for door-to-door solicitation shall prohibit such activity before the hour of 9:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m.
[Amended 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
Licensees under this chapter shall pay a fee of $350, which fee shall be paid upon the application being made.
[Amended 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
The license issued under this chapter shall be posted conspicuously in the place of business named therein. In the event that such person or persons applying for the license desire to do business in more than one place within the Township, separate licenses may be issued for each place of business. Every person who is required to hold a license under this chapter shall carry the same when engaged in the business for which the license is issued. Any alterations, erasers or mutilations shall void the license.
[Amended 9-24-1991 by Ord. No. 1671; 10-10-2000 by Ord. No. 3162; 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 3591; 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3815]
All licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter to a transient merchant or solicitor shall be valid only for a four-day period. Each additional four-day period shall be the subject of a separate license, and no applicant shall be issued more than four licenses in any one calendar year. The fee for the four four-day periods in a calendar year, however, shall be the annual fee set forth in § 271-11. All other licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter shall expire each December 31.
[Amended 10-10-2000 by Ord. No. 3162]
A. 
The applications for and licenses issued pursuant to this chapter may be denied or revoked by the Township Clerk or their designee for any of the following causes:
(1) 
Any fraud, misrepresentation or false statements contained in the application for license.
(2) 
Any fraud, misrepresentation or false statements made in connection with the selling of goods, wares or merchandise.
(3) 
Any violation of this chapter.
(4) 
Conviction of the licensee for any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
(5) 
Conducting the business licensed under this chapter in an unlawful manner or in such a manner as to constitute a menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the public.
B. 
An appeal from any such denial or revocation may be made to the Township Manager within 10 days of the date of the denial or revocation. The Township Manager shall forthwith review the application record and evidence presented on behalf of the aggrieved party. The Township Manager shall render their decision within two days after completion of the hearing.
The Township Clerk shall deposit the license number with the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police shall report to the Township Clerk any complaints against any person licensed under the provisions of this chapter. The Township Clerk shall keep a record of all such licenses and of such complaints and violations.
[Added 12-11-2018 by Ord. No. 4259-18]
A. 
The Office of the Township Clerk shall collect, prepare and maintain a list of addresses of those premises where the owner and/or occupant has notified the Township Clerk that peddlers and solicitors, as defined in this chapter, are not permitted on the premises. Any person wishing to have their address included on the nonsolicitation list must complete and file the appropriate form with the Township Clerk, which shall be made available by the Township Clerk. Once included on the nonsolicitation list, an address will remain on the list until revoked.
B. 
The Township Clerk shall submit the nonsolicitation list to the Chief of Police on a quarterly basis. The nonsolicitation list shall also be provided to all persons submitting registration forms to the Township Clerk under this chapter. The applicant shall thereafter be prohibited from peddling or soliciting at any address on the nonsolicitation list.
C. 
At quarterly intervals throughout the year, the Township Clerk shall update the nonsolicitation list. The updated list shall then be forwarded to the Chief of Police and any applicants known to the Township Clerk who are engaged in peddling or soliciting.