[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Hillsville 3-8-1989 (Ch. 9 of the 1978 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Littering — See Ch. 88.
Nuisances — See Ch. 97.
Peace and good order — See Ch. 108.
Special sales — See Ch. 121.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
SOLICITOR
Includes any person who goes from place to place or house to house or who stands in any street or public place taking or offering to take orders for goods, wares or merchandise or for service to be performed in the future or for making, manufacturing or repairing any article or thing whatsoever for future delivery.
[Amended 11-11-1996]
All persons, before entering into or upon a residential premises within the town for the purpose of soliciting, shall register with the Town Manager or his designee and furnish the following information:[1]
A. 
The name, local and permanent addresses, social security number, telephone numbers, age, race, weight, height, color of hair and eyes and any other distinguishing physical characteristics of the applicant.
B. 
The nature or purpose for which solicitations will be made and the nature of the goods, wares, merchandise or services offered for sale.
C. 
The name and permanent address of the employer or organization represented; type of vehicle and license number, if applicable.
D. 
A statement as to whether the applicant has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor, and if so, the nature of the offense, when and where convicted and the penalty or punishment assessed therefor.
[1]
Editor's Note: The solicitor's application is on file and available for inspection in the office of the Town Manager.
Upon furnishing the information required under § 112-3, the applicant shall be issued a permit, unless the information furnished in compliance with this chapter shows that the applicant has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or any felony. A permit under this chapter shall be good for one year from the date of issuance, unless earlier revoked as provided in this chapter. Every solicitor shall carry his permit with him at all times while engaged in soliciting and shall display the same to any person who shall demand to see the same while he is so engaged.
[Amended 5-22-2017[
A. 
A fee of $25 to cover the costs of investigation of the applicant and processing of the application shall be paid to the Town when the application is filed and shall not be returnable under any circumstances. The investigation will be conducted by the Hillsville Police Department. Approval or disapproval will be done after the investigation and by the investigating officer. 501(c)(3) and churches are not subject to comply with the provisions of this section.
B. 
Peddlers of ice cream and other ice confectioneries, milk products, candies and confections:
(1) 
When sold on foot: $250.
(2) 
When sold from conveyances other than motor vehicles: $250 per conveyance.
(3) 
When sold from motor vehicles and not made, mixed or prepared on those vehicles: $250 per vehicle.
(4) 
When sold from motor vehicles and made, mixed or prepared on those vehicles: $250 per vehicle.
C. 
Peddlers of bottled soft drinks, hot dogs and wrapped sandwiches: $250 for each vehicle used.
D. 
When such articles are peddled along with the articles specified in other sections of this chapter, and the license tax imposed by this chapter is paid, such person shall not be required to pay in addition thereto the license taxes imposed by those other sections.
No person shall:
A. 
Enter into or upon a residential premises in the town under false pretenses to solicit for any purpose or for the purpose of soliciting orders for the sale of goods, wares, merchandise or services.
B. 
Remain in or on any residential premises after the owner or occupant has requested any such person to leave.
C. 
Enter upon any residential premises for soliciting, when the owner or occupant has displayed a "No Soliciting" sign on such premises.
D. 
Engage in the practice of soliciting in the town without a permit as provided for in this chapter.
E. 
Knowingly give false information or withhold correct information in obtaining a permit.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:
A. 
Any person who visits any residence or apartment at the request or invitation of the owner or occupant thereof.
B. 
To unpaid members of any civic or charitable organization who have an approved means of identification provided by such organization.
C. 
Newsboys soliciting subscriptions to any newspaper for home delivery within the town.
D. 
Route deliverymen who make deliveries at least once a week to regular customers and whose solicitation is only incidental to their regular deliveries.
E. 
Persons selling fresh farm products.
F. 
Persons licensed under the provisions of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia.
The permit issued under this chapter shall be revoked for any violation of this chapter or for any violation of law that would have prevented it from being issued under this chapter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 9-8, which immediately followed this section and dealt with penalties, was repealed 11-11-1996.