[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Shenandoah County: Art. I, 6-9-1992. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 6-9-1992]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
SOLICITOR
A person who goes from door to door visiting multifamily or single-family dwellings for the following purposes:
A. 
To sell any goods, wares, merchandise or services or accept subscriptions or orders therefor.
B. 
To accept or request donations for any charitable purpose.
A. 
All persons, before entering into or upon a residential premises within the county for the purpose of soliciting, shall register with the County Sheriff and furnish him with the following information:
(1) 
The name, local and permanent addresses, age, race, weight, height, color of hair and eyes and any other distinguishing physical characteristics of the applicant.
(2) 
The nature or purpose for which solicitations will be made and the nature of the goods, wares, merchandise and services offered for sale.
(3) 
The name and permanent address of the employer or organization represented.
(4) 
A statement as to whether or not 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.
B. 
The applicant, by signing the application for said solicitor permit, shall give the Sheriff his date of birth and social security number with the understanding that the Sheriff may use this to check the central criminal records exchange to determine the criminal record, if any, of the applicant for said permit.
Upon furnishing the information required under § 123-2, the applicant shall be issued a permit, unless the information furnished in compliance with this Article shows that the applicant has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. A permit issued under this Article shall be valid for the remaining period of the calendar year in which the permit was issued. Any permit so issued by the county shall have a photograph of the solicitor on the permit and shall state the term of the validity of the permit, and the solicitor shall display such permit on his or her person in plain view at all times while engaged in soliciting and shall allow such permit to be inspected by any person, if demand be made, for such inspection while the person is engaged in soliciting.
Upon application, a nonreturnable fee as provided in Chapter A170, Fees, shall be paid to the County Sheriff to cover the cost of investigation and processing of the application. An additional fee as provided in Chapter A170, Fees, shall be paid to the treasurer upon issuance of the permit.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
No person shall:
A. 
Enter into or upon a residential premises in the county 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 county without a permit as provided for in this Article.
E. 
Knowingly give false information or withhold correct information in obtaining a permit.
The provisions of this Article shall not apply to:
A. 
Persons, corporations, firms or business combinations duly licensed to do business in Shenandoah County.
B. 
Governmental agencies of the state or federal government.
C. 
Any person who visits any resident or apartment at the request or invitation of the owner or occupant thereof.
D. 
Members of any nonprofit civic or charitable organization who have an approved means of identification provided by such organization.
E. 
Newsboys soliciting subscriptions to any newspaper for home delivery within the county.
F. 
Route deliverymen who make deliveries at least once a week to regular customers and whose solicitation is only incidental to their regular deliveries.
G. 
A farmer or producer of agricultural or nursery products who sells only the farm or agricultural products or nursery products produced or grown by him.
H. 
Any person licensed under the Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia.
I. 
A distributor or vendor of seafood who catches seafood and sells only seafood caught by him.
Any violation of the provisions of this Article shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor. Each day that the violation continues to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.