[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Westhampton Beach 3-3-2016 by L.L. No. 1-2016;[1] amended in its entirety 4-4-2019 by L.L. No. 3-2019. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and recreation — See Ch. 123.
Outdoor sales and displays — See Ch. 140.
Trespassing — See Ch. 172.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 128, Peddling and Soliciting, adopted 4-8-1988 by L.L. No. 5-1998, as amended.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CANVASS and CANVASSER
Shall be considered as synonymous with the terms "solicit" and "solicitor." A person who attempts to make personal contact with a resident at his/her residence without prior invitation or appointment from the resident for the primary purpose of:
A. 
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
B. 
Distributing a handbill or flyer advertising a noncommercial event or service.
NEWSPAPER
Any newspaper of general circulation as defined by general law, any newspaper duly entered with the Post Office Department of the United States, in accordance with federal statute or regulation, and any newspaper filed and recorded with any recording officer as provided by general law and, in addition thereto, any periodical or current magazine regularly published with not less than four issues per year and sold to the public.
PEDDLE
To go from house to house, from store to store, from place to place or from street to street or to stand in a fixed or stationary position, or any combination thereof, to sell and make immediate delivery or offer for sale and delivery any goods, wares, merchandise or provisions in possession of the seller at any place within the Village of Westhampton Beach other than from a fixed place of business.
PEDDLER
A person who peddles, as defined herein. 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 the visit. Such a person is a "solicitor."
PEDDLING VEHICLE
A vehicle, as defined in the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York, designed or used for the sale at the vehicle of food, beverages, ice cream and other items intended for human consumption or for the sale of merchandise at the vehicle or for services rendered or to be rendered in, on or at the vehicle as, for example, in the sharpening of tools and lawn mowers.
PRIVATE PREMISES
Any dwelling, house, building or other structure designed or used either wholly or in part for private residential purposes, whether inhabited, temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant, and shall include any yard, grounds, walk, driveway, porch, steps, vestibule or mailbox belonging to or appurtenant to such dwelling, house, building or other structure.
PUBLIC PLACES
Any and all streets, boulevards, avenues, lanes, alleys or other public ways and any and all public parks, squares, plazas, grounds and buildings.
SOLICITOR
A person who goes from house to house, from store to store, from place to place or from street to street or stands in a fixed or stationary position, or any combination thereof for the primary purpose of:
A. 
Attempting to obtain a donation to a particular patriotic, philanthropic, social service, welfare, benevolent, educational, civic, fraternal, charitable, political or religious purpose, where the organization for which the person is acting is not exempt from the registration requirements of Article 7-A of the Executive Law of the State of New York;
B. 
To take orders for goods, wares, merchandise, provisions or services for future delivery; or
C. 
Distributing a handbill or flyer advertising a commercial event or service.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to act as a peddler or solicitor within the Village of Westhampton Beach without having first obtained a valid permit therefor, as provided hereunder. A canvasser is not required to have a permit.
B. 
Every employer who hires a person to act as a peddler or solicitor on his or her behalf shall share the same responsibility with respect to penalties hereunder, in the event that said person shall peddle or solicit without having first obtained a valid permit.
Applicants for a permit under this chapter must file with the Board of Trustees, Village of Westhampton Beach, an application in the form of a sworn affidavit, in duplicate, which shall give the following information:
A. 
The name and description of the applicant.
B. 
The permanent and local address (if any) of the applicant.
C. 
A brief description of the nature of the business and the kind of goods or property to be peddled or solicited. (Copies of the literature to be distributed may be substituted for this description at the option of the applicant.)
D. 
A statement as to whether or not the applicant has ever been convicted of any crime, misdemeanor or offense against any municipal ordinance or local law, and, if applicable, a listing of the applicant's offenses, misdemeanor and felony convictions for the seven years prior to the application, the nature of the crime or offense, and the punishment or penalty assessed therefor.
E. 
Two photographs of the applicant taken not more than 60 days prior to the date of filing of the application, which pictures shall not be larger than 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches, clearly showing the head and shoulders of the applicant.
F. 
Date and place of birth of the applicant.
G. 
If the applicant is employed to peddle, the name and permanent address of his or her employer and/or business offering the event, good or service, together with credentials establishing the employment relationship.
H. 
If the applicant is employed to solicit, the name, permanent address, and website address of the organization, person, or group for whom donations are accepted, along with credentials establishing the employment relationship.
I. 
In any application for a permit or renewal hereunder, the applicant shall produce a valid certificate of registration and certificate of authority as required by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
J. 
The motor vehicle make, model, year, color, and state license plate number of any vehicle which will be used by the applicant for peddling or soliciting.
K. 
Any person or any employee of any organization who is required to be registered with the New York Department of State, under the provision of Article 7-A of the Executive Law of the State of New York relating to the solicitation and collection of funds for charitable purposes, must additionally exhibit evidence of this registration to the satisfaction of the Board of Trustees.
L. 
In addition to the requirements set forth above for a permit for peddling or soliciting, applicants for a permit involving the use of a peddling vehicle must additionally supply the Board of Trustees with the following documentation:
(1) 
A copy of the vehicle's registration evidencing that the vehicle is currently registered to operate in the State of New York.
(2) 
A copy of the vehicle's inspection sticker, evidencing that the vehicle successfully passed a New York State inspection within the previous 12 months.
(3) 
Proof that the vehicle is appropriate for the use intended.
(4) 
Proof of liability insurance on the vehicle in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence.
A. 
Upon receipt of the sworn application, the Village Clerk shall forward a copy thereof to the Westhampton Beach Village Police Department for an investigation of the applicant.
B. 
If the investigation shall establish that the applicant has a record of conviction of a crime or there is a pending criminal charge against the applicant or complaints were lodged against the applicant for actions under a prior permit issued pursuant to this chapter, the Westhampton Beach Village Police Department shall prepare a written report thereof and attach a copy to the application and return both to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall provide the applicant with a copy of the report, who shall have the right to respond to the report in writing and to request a hearing before the Board of Trustees. If no record of conviction of a crime or pending criminal charge or prior complaint is found, a statement to this effect shall be attached to the application, and the application shall be returned to the Village Clerk.
C. 
If the investigation establishes that the applicant has been convicted of a crime, there is a pending criminal charge or prior complaint, the Board of Trustees shall have the authority to determine after a hearing that the applicant is nevertheless a fit and proper person to hold a peddler/solicitor's permit. In that case, the application shall be favorably received; otherwise it shall be denied. For the purposes of this section, the term "fit and proper" shall mean that the crime, pending charge or prior complaint in question does not indicate that the applicant would pose any risk to the health and safety of the Village and its residents.
D. 
Upon the return of an application to the Village Clerk from the Police Department where the applicant has had no record of a conviction of a crime, pending criminal charge or prior complaint, or to the Village Clerk from the Board of Trustees where the applicant has been convicted of a crime, there is a pending criminal charge or prior complaint, but the applicant has nevertheless received approval by the Board of Trustees, the Village Clerk shall prepare and issue the permit to the applicant. The permit shall contain the Seal of the Village, the signature of the issuing officer, the name, address and photograph of the permittee, the kind of goods to be peddled thereunder or the purpose of the permit, the amount of fee paid, the permit number, the date of issuance and date of expiration of such permit, as well as the state license number or other identifying description of the vehicle, if for a vehicular license.
E. 
The Village Clerk shall notify the applicant in writing of the granting or denial of the permit.
F. 
No permit shall be issued by the Village Clerk unless all conditions imposed by this chapter are fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Board of Trustees.
G. 
No permit shall be issued by the Village Clerk to any minor under 16 years of age.
H. 
The Village Clerk shall keep a record of all permits issued.
I. 
All permits will be issued annually on a calendar-year basis. All permits issued will expire on the last day of the calendar year (December 31) in which issued. No reduction or allowance shall be made in fees for permits issued for a fractional part of the year.
A. 
If the applicant for a peddler's permit uses scales or measures in his or her business, he or she shall also file with the application for a permit a certificate issued by the Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs, Weights and Measures Division, that the applicant's scales or measures have been tested and sealed.
B. 
If the applicant for a permit is to handle food in any form, he or she will be required to submit with his or her application evidence that the applicant has complied with the provisions of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
C. 
Every peddling vehicle permitted pursuant to this chapter selling ice cream or other goods likely to be purchased by children shall be equipped in the front and rear with a sign containing lettering six inches high, inscribed with the legend "Caution. Watch out for children."
A. 
For each person proposing to peddle or solicit, the annual fee shall be $50.
B. 
For each person utilizing a peddling vehicle not exceeding a gross weight of 5,000 pounds, there shall be an additional annual fee of $25; for each additional 1,000 pounds of gross weight or major fraction thereof, the addition to the annual fee shall be $25, up to a maximum additional fee of $100.
C. 
In the event of the damage, loss or destruction of any permit issued pursuant to this chapter, the permit may be replaced by application therefor to the Village Clerk, together with the return of the accompanying permit, where feasible, and the payment of a fee of $10.
D. 
For each peddling vehicle substituted or replaced by another vehicle, the fee shall be $10.
E. 
Fees paid for the application for a permit shall not be refundable in the event the application is denied.
F. 
Any honorably discharged veteran of the armed services of the United States who has obtained a veteran's license from the Suffolk County Clerk to hawk, peddle, vend or solicit trade pursuant to law shall be exempt from paying the annual fees and any additional vehicle permitting fees to the Village but is otherwise subject to all other provisions of this chapter.
A. 
Every peddler or solicitor permitted pursuant to this chapter shall have his or her permit in his or her immediate possession at all times when peddling or soliciting and shall display same upon the demand of any person.
B. 
For each vehicle licensed pursuant to this chapter, the Village Clerk shall issue a license made of durable material which shall bear the word "peddler" or "solicitor," the number of the permit and the calendar year for which the license is issued. The license shall be displayed in the rear window or rear surface of the vehicle in a conspicuous place and shall be kept clear and readable.
C. 
No permit or license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may be transferred from one person to another person, or from one peddling vehicle to another.
A. 
With the exception of § 128-11 in relation to the time of day peddling and soliciting are permitted, this chapter shall not apply to duly organized religious corporations and religious agencies, educational institutions, fraternal, patriotic, social and alumni organizations and others mentioned as exempt from the provisions of Article 7-A of the Executive Law regarding the registration of a charitable organization with the Department of State (see Executive Law § 172-a), nor to any political organization or any division, branch, part or representative thereof, or to any canvasser.
B. 
This chapter shall not apply to persons engaged in the distribution of a newspaper published at stated intervals for the purpose of conveying news to its subscribers or buyers.
C. 
The provisions of this chapter, including those which relate to the time of day that peddling and soliciting are permitted, shall not apply to agents or personnel representing any private or public utility or transportation corporations incorporated under the laws of the State of New York.
D. 
This chapter shall not apply to any person who keeps, maintains or operates a store, market, shop or similar permanent place of business whereby he or she operates a truck or other vehicle for the purpose of making deliveries of goods, wares, merchandise or provisions bought or ordered at the person's place of business, nor to any person solely engaged in the business of delivering goods, wares, merchandise or provisions for or on behalf of one or more places of business.
Any person required by the provisions of Article 7-A of the Executive Law of the State of New York to register with the Department of State must, whether or not otherwise required to be permitted under the provisions of this chapter, exhibit to the Board of Trustees evidence of the registration. The Village Clerk shall keep a record of all persons intending to peddle or solicit within the Village of Westhampton Beach who have registered under Article 7-A of the Executive Law, along with a description of the activities for which they have so registered.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any peddler or solicitor to have any exclusive right to any location in any street or on any public property.
B. 
Any person peddling or soliciting in the Village must act in accordance with the following prohibitions on the use of public places:
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to peddle or solicit within 200 feet of any place used or occupied as or for the purpose of a public or private school or to permit his or her cart, wagon or vehicle to stand on any street or public place within 200 feet of such school property.
(2) 
A peddler or solicitor shall not be permitted to stand in one place for more than 20 minutes.
(3) 
A peddler or solicitor shall not be permitted to peddle in any congested area where his or her operation might impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(4) 
It shall be unlawful for a peddler or solicitor to peddle or solicit upon or within any street or other public place or any public or private off-street parking area within the B1 Business District as defined in the Zoning Code[1] of the Village of Westhampton Beach.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 197, Zoning.
C. 
For the purpose of this section, the judgment of any peace officer or police officer exercised in good faith shall be deemed conclusive as to the existence of congestion and as to whether there is any impediment of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to enter or remain upon private premises for the purpose of peddling or soliciting except upon the express invitation or permission of the owner, occupant or lessee where a notice in the form of a sign or sticker has been placed upon any door or entrance leading into the residence containing the words "no soliciting" or "no solicitors," which is clearly visible to the peddler or solicitor.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to enter upon private premises for the purpose of peddling, soliciting or canvassing before the hour of 9:00 a.m., prevailing time, or later than 1/2 hour after sunset or 7:30 p.m., prevailing time, whichever is earlier, on any day of the week, except at the express invitation of the owner or occupant.
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any peddler or solicitor to peddle or solicit for a purpose other than set out in the application upon which the permit was issued.
A. 
Permits issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked by the Board of Trustees, after notice and hearing, for any of the following causes:
(1) 
Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement contained in the application for permit.
(2) 
Fraud, misrepresentations or false statement made in the course of carrying on the business as a peddler or solicitor.
(3) 
Any offense against this chapter.
(4) 
Conviction of any crime or misdemeanor.
(5) 
Conducting the business of peddling or soliciting in an unlawful manner or in such a manner as to constitute a breach of the peace or to constitute a menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the inhabitants of the Village of Westhampton Beach.
(6) 
The peddling of or soliciting for any goods or property not described in the application for a permit herein or the peddling of or soliciting for any goods or properties which are dangerous or injurious to the purchaser, especially to a child.
B. 
Notice of the hearing for the revocation of a permit shall be given in writing, setting forth specifically the grounds of complaint and the time and place of the hearing. Such notice shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the permittee at the address shown on the application at least five days prior to the date set for the hearing. The decision and order of the Board of Trustees shall be final and conclusive.
It shall be the duty of all duly authorized peace officers and of any police officer of the Village of Westhampton Beach to enforce the provisions of this chapter, to make arrests or issue appearance tickets or other legal process for offenses against the provisions of this chapter and to report to the Board of Trustees all offenses observed, whether or not any criminal prosecution is based thereon. The Board of Trustees shall record all reports of offenses and convictions for offenses against this chapter.
Any person, as defined in this chapter, committing any offense against this chapter or any section or provision thereof shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not less than $250 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 days for each such offense, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Every day the violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate offense.
It is declared to be the intention of the Village of Westhampton Beach that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases and words of this chapter are severable, and if any section, paragraph, sentence, phrase or word(s) of this chapter shall be declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining paragraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases and words of this chapter.