[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Jamestown 7-22-1991. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Advertising materials — See Ch. 83.
Fire prevention and building construction — See Ch. 140.
Licenses and permits — See Ch. 175.
Peace and good order — See Ch. 198.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ESTABLISHED PLACE OF BUSINESS
Includes a building or store in which or where a person transacts business and deals in the goods, wares and merchandise he hawks, peddles or solicits for during regular business hours.
HAWKER and PEDDLER
Any person, firm or corporation who or which either, as principal or agent, from any boat or car on a railroad track or any street or place or by going from house to house or place of business to place of business, on foot or on or from any animal or vehicle, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, trailers, pushcarts or wagons, sells or barters, offers for sale or barters or carries or exposes for sale or barter any goods, wares or merchandise, except milk, newspapers and periodicals.
PERSON
Includes one or more persons of either sex, natural persons, corporations, partnerships, associations, joint-stock companies, societies and all other entities of any kind capable of being sued.
SOLICITOR
Includes any person who goes from place to place or house to house or who stands in any street or place taking or offering to take orders for goods, wares and merchandise, except milk, newspapers and periodicals, or for services to be performed in the future or by making, manufacturing or repairing any article or thing whatsoever for future delivery.
TRANSIENT RETAIL BUSINESS
Includes one conducted in a store, hotel, motel, house, building or structure for the sale, retail or wholesale, of goods, wares and merchandise, except meats, fish, fruit and farm products by farmers and persons who produce such commodities, which is intended to be conducted for a temporary period of time and not permanently. If the place in which the business is conducted is rented or leased for a period of six months or less, such fact shall be presumptive evidence that the business carried on therein is a transient business.
A. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be held to apply to any sales conducted pursuant to statute or by order of any court; to any person selling personal property at wholesale to dealers in such articles; to merchants having an established place of business within the City or their employees for soliciting orders from customers and delivering the same; to farmers and truck gardeners who themselves or through their employees vend, sell or dispose of products of their own farms and gardens; to any honorably discharged veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States who is a resident of this state and a veteran of any war or who shall have served in the Armed Forces of the United States overseas or the spouse of such veteran if a resident of this state, as provided by § 32 of the General Business Law of the State of New York; to berry pickers who sell berries of their own picking; to persons engaged in fishing in the waters adjacent to the City of Jamestown, when such fish is sold by the person catching the same; to the owner or lessee of any property within the City of Jamestown who conducts on his or her property flea markets, porch sales, garage sales or similar sales for not more than four days, two of which may be consecutive, in any calendar year.
[Amended 9-12-1994]
B. 
This chapter shall not apply to sales of tangible commodities by local not-for-profit corporations or associations which have as their primary purpose the promotion of charitable, educational and recreational activities or volunteers working for such corporations or associations within the City of Jamestown, New York.
C. 
The City Council may additionally grant exemptions from the provisions of this chapter for special events or occasions, subject to such conditions or requirements as the City Council may deem proper. Requests for exemption as herein provided shall be submitted, in writing, to the City Clerk/Treasurer not less than 45 days prior to the commencement date of the special event or occasion, which requests shall state the date or dates of the special event or occasion, the nature of the special event or occasion, the provisions of this chapter for which exemptions are requested, the reasons therefor and the estimated number of hawkers, peddlers or solicitors it is anticipated will participate in the special event or occasion.
[Amended 3-9-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992; 11-27-1995; 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
It shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the City of Jamestown to act as a hawker, peddler, solicitor or transient retail business as herein defined without first having obtained and paid for and having in force and effect a valid, current license therefor.
A. 
Any person desiring to procure a license as herein provided shall file with the City Clerk/Treasurer a written application prepared by the City Clerk/Treasurer and furnished by the City and shall file at the same time satisfactory proof of good character and satisfactory proof of compliance with § 1101 et seq. of the Tax Law of the State of New York (sales tax). The application shall give the number and kind of vehicles to be used by the applicant carrying on the business for which the license is required, the registration or other identification of any vehicles to be used, the kind of goods, wares and merchandise the applicant desires to sell or the kind of services the applicant desires to perform, the method of distribution, the name, address and age of the applicant and the name and address of the person, firm or corporation he represents. Such application shall be accompanied by a certificate from the Sealer of Weights and Measures of Chautauqua County certifying that all weighing and measuring devices to be used by the applicant have been examined and approved, or such application shall be accompanied by a statement that no weighing and measuring devices will be utilized.
[Amended 3-9-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992; 11-27-1995; 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
B. 
An application for the license as a solicitor or transient retail business who demands, accepts or receives payment or deposit of any money in advance of final delivery shall also be accompanied by a bond to the City of Jamestown, approved as to form of surety by the Corporation Counsel, in a penal sum as provided in Chapter 175, Licenses and Permits, with a sufficient surety or sureties or sufficient collateral security conditioned for making a final delivery of the goods, wares and merchandise delivered or services to be performed in accordance with the terms of such order or, failing therein, that the advance payment of such order is refunded. Any person aggrieved by the action of any licensed solicitor or transient retail business shall have the right by action on the bond for the recovery of money or damages or both. Such bond shall remain in full force and effect, and in the case of a cash deposit, such deposit shall be retained by the City of Jamestown, for a period of 90 days after the expiration of any such license, unless sooner ordered released by the Mayor.
[Amended 8-10-1992 by L.L. No. 2-1992]
C. 
When an application is filed pursuant to this chapter, the City Clerk/Treasurer shall cause an investigation to be made by the Police Department to ascertain the validity of the information provided on such application. The Chief of Police shall furnish to the City Clerk/Treasurer, in writing, the information derived from such investigation.
[Added 7-23-2007; amended 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
A. 
Upon the filing of the application, bond and certificate as provided by § 204-4, the City Clerk/Treasurer shall issue to the applicant a license as provided in § 204-3, signed by the City Clerk/Treasurer.
[Amended 3-9-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992; 11-27-1995; 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
B. 
Except as hereinafter provided, no license shall be refused except for a specific reason and for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare.
C. 
A license shall not be assignable. Any holder of such license who permits it to be used by any other person and any person who uses such license granted to any other person shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter.
D. 
Whenever a license shall be lost or destroyed on the part of the holder or his or her agent or employee, a duplicate in lieu thereof under the original application and bond may be issued by the City Clerk/Treasurer upon the filing with the City Clerk/Treasurer by the licensee of an affidavit setting forth the circumstances for the loss and what, if any, search has been made for its recovery. The fee for issuing a duplicate license as herein provided shall be as provided in Chapter 175, Licenses and Permits.
[Amended 3-9-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992; 8-10-1992 by L.L. No. 2-1992; 11-27-1995; 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
E. 
All licenses shall be issued on forms provided by the City Clerk/Treasurer, numbered in the order in which they are issued, and shall state clearly the kind of vehicle to be used, the kind of goods, wares and merchandise to be sold or services to be rendered, the number of the license, the dates of issuance and expiration of the license, the fee paid and the name and address of the licensee. Such license shall automatically expire on December 31 following the date of issuance of such license.
[Amended 3-9-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992; 11-27-1995; 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
F. 
Such license shall include the right to use only one vehicle in carrying on the business for which the person is licensed.
G. 
No license shall be granted to a person under 18 years of age.
H. 
No applicant to whom a license has been refused or who has had a license which has been revoked shall make further application until a period of at least six months shall have elapsed since the last previous rejection or revocation, unless such applicant can show that the reason for the rejection no longer exists.
I. 
Every licensee, while exercising his or her license, shall carry the license with him or her and shall exhibit the same upon demand.
J. 
The license shall be issued in triplicate. A duplicate copy thereof shall be furnished to the Chief of Police, and the third copy shall be retained by the City Clerk/Treasurer.
[Amended 3-9-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992; 11-27-1995; 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
K. 
Any licensee using a horse and wagon or motor vehicle may employ two persons and no more to assist in selling and delivering the wares, but such persons shall so act only while accompanying a licensed peddler, hawker or solicitor.
L. 
This chapter shall not apply so as unlawfully to interfere with interstate commerce, and to that end all persons claiming to be engaged in interstate commerce shall apply to the City Clerk/Treasurer for a certificate of compliance, using the form of application described in § 204-4; the applicant shall also submit to the City Clerk/Treasurer satisfactory evidence that he or she is engaged in interstate commerce.
[Added 4-10-1995; amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
M. 
When the applicant shall have established to the satisfaction of the City Clerk/Treasurer that he or she is engaged in interstate commerce, the City Clerk/Treasurer shall issue to him or her, without charge, a certificate of compliance, stating, among other things, that such person has complied with the requirements of this section and has satisfactorily established that he or she is engaged in interstate commerce. Such certificate shall be carried with the person exercising it and shall be exhibited upon demand. Each such certificate shall be invalid after one year from its date of issue. The securing of any such certificate by fraud or misrepresentation by any person not in fact engaged in interstate commerce shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
[Added 4-10-1995; amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
N. 
Not-for-profit, charitable or religious corporations shall be exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter including the payment of fees. Before commencing any fund drive the organization shall file with the City Clerk/Treasurer and the Police Chief the dates of solicitation. Individuals soliciting for not-for-profit, charitable and religious purposes must refrain from soliciting if the premises is posted with a sign bearing the words "No Peddlers," "No Solicitor" or similar words.
[Added 4-10-1995; amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
[Amended 8-10-1992 by L.L. No. 2-1992]
A. 
The license fee for the license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be as provided in Chapter 175, Licenses and Permits.
B. 
The license fee for all persons conducting a transient retail business within the City shall be as provided in Chapter 175, Licenses and Permits. For purposes of this provision, a week shall commence on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. and terminate on the following Saturday at 11:59 p.m.
All vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, trailers, pushcarts or wagons, used by a licensee in the exercise of his or her license shall be marked on both sides with the number corresponding to the number of his or her current license and the words "Licensed Vendor" in plain letters and figures at least two inches in length and of such color as to be plainly read at a distance of at least 10 feet.
Each licensee shall carry his or her valid, current license and exhibit the same to any police officer or customer or prospective customer or agent or officer of the City of Jamestown on demand. Agents of a licensee shall carry a photographic duplicate of the licensee's current license and produce the same on demand to the same individuals herein specified.
[Amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
The Mayor may at any time for a violation of this chapter or any other ordinance or any law revoke any license. When a license shall be revoked, no refund of any portion of the license fee shall be made. Notice of such revocation and the reason or reasons therefor, in writing, shall be served by the Mayor upon the person named in the application or by mailing the same to the address given in the application and upon filing a copy of such notice with the City Clerk/Treasurer.
A licensed hawker, peddler or solicitor shall:
A. 
Not falsely or fraudulently misrepresent the quantity, character or quality of any article offered for sale nor offer for sale any unwholesome, tainted or diseased provisions or merchandise.
B. 
Keep the vehicles and receptacles used by him or her in a clean and sanitary condition and the foodstuffs and edibles offered for sale well covered and protected from dirt, dust and insects and, in so doing, shall abide by any sanitary regulations or other applicable regulations of the Chautauqua County Health Department relative to the sale and display of foodstuffs.
C. 
Within the central business district of the City of Jamestown, refrain from the blowing of any horn, ringing of any bell or the use of any other noisy device to attract public attention to his or her wares or from shouting or crying out his or her wares.
D. 
Within the central business district of the City of Jamestown, not stand nor permit the vehicle used by him or her to stand in any place other than those places or areas designated by the Public Safety Committee of the City Council of the City of Jamestown for the hawking, peddling or soliciting of food, goods, wares or merchandise, and shall move the vehicle used by him or her on the half-hour a distance of not less than 50 feet from said vehicle's last prior location.
E. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, not stand nor permit the vehicle used by him or her to stand in front of any premises for any time if the owner or lessee of the ground floor thereof objects.
F. 
Within the central business district of the City of Jamestown, not hawk, sell, peddle or solicit any food, goods, wares or merchandise from any vehicle having a size greater than five feet in length, height or width.
G. 
Not use any heating source which does not meet the requirements of the fire codes of the City of Jamestown.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 140, Fire Prevention and Building Construction.
H. 
Not use any electricity from any lightpole or any other utility of the City of Jamestown.
I. 
Not sell any confectionery or ice cream within 250 feet of any school between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on school days.
J. 
Not permit any vehicles used by him or her to stop or remain on any crosswalk.
K. 
Not create or maintain any booth, stall or stand or place any boxes, barrels, crates or other obstructions upon any street or public place for the purpose of selling or exposing for sale any food, goods, wares or merchandise.
L. 
Not sell, barter or offer for sale or barter or carry or expose for sale or barter any goods, wares or merchandise in or along or within the distance of 300 feet of the streets, avenues and ways constituting the designated line of march of any parade conducted in the observance of Memorial Day, whether held on the 30th day of May in any year or otherwise, during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the day such parade is held.
M. 
Not conduct any business between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on any public street or public place or by going from house to house or place of business on foot or on or from any animal or vehicle nor sell or barter, offer for sale or barter nor carry or expose for sale or barter any goods, wares or merchandise, except milk, newspapers and periodicals.
All orders taken by licensed solicitors who demand, accept or receive payment or deposit of money in advance of final delivery shall be in writing, in duplicate, stating the terms thereof and the amount paid in advance, and one copy shall be given to the purchaser at the time the deposit of money is paid to the solicitor.
[Amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
It shall be the duty of the City Clerk/Treasurer to keep a record of all applications and of all licenses granted under the provisions of this chapter, giving the number and date of each license, the name and residence of the person licensed, the amount of the license fee paid and also the date of revocation of all licenses revoked.
By acceptance of a license herein authorized, the holder thereof agrees to indemnify and hold the City of Jamestown and its officers, employees, agents and servants harmless from any and all liability for property damage, personal injury and/or death which may result to the licensee or any third party in the licensee's performance of the rights granted to the licensee by virtue of the license or licenses authorized herein. No liability shall inure to the City of Jamestown or its officers, employees, agents or servants for any wrongful act done or committed by any licensee or holder of the licenses herein authorized.
[Amended 8-10-1992 by L.L. No. 2-1992]
Any person who, himself or by his or her clerk, agent or employee, shall act as a hawker, peddler or solicitor or shall operate a transient retail business as herein defined without a license or who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or who, having had his or her license revoked, shall continue to act as a hawker, peddler or solicitor or shall operate a transient retail business shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article I, Penalties. Each day on which such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.