In general, most persons going “door-to-door” in the City must have a permit and an identification badge. Due to recent court decisions and City Code changes, canvassers for some organizations and nonprofit agencies may be exempt from the requirement if their primary purpose is ideologic support rather than financial donations.
Many reputable groups have indicated they will abide by the City’s requirement of prior notification if they plan to solicit or canvass within the City. (See below)
The relevant city code may be reviewed at:
www.takomaparkmd.gov/code/Takoma_Park_Municipal_Code/Title_8/12
License, ID & Hours
All peddlers, transient merchants, and junk or secondhand dealers must first obtain a license. All solicitors must obtain a solicitor’s permit from the City Clerk, except for city residents who are soliciting on behalf of a nonprofit organization or candidate for public office and are not involved in the promotion or sale of commercial goods or property on behalf of a for-profit business enterprise.
Canvassers, licensees and permit holders may conduct business only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. (except by appointment with a resident).
Police and code enforcement officers may require such persons to show their identification badge and permit upon request. Residents may post a sign (at least 4 x 6 inches) stating “solicitors prohibited” or “solicitors and canvassers prohibited” at their residence or business.
A canvasser may obtain an identification badge but is not required to do so. Anyone conducting canvassing activity that involves the solicitation of money, shall notify the Police Department of the dates they will be conducting such activity within the city, the name of the organization to benefit, the names of the individuals conducting the activity, and the license plate number and state of registration of all vehicles used in connection with the activity.
Definitions
A solicitor is a person who attempts to make personal contact at a residence without a prior appointment for the primary purpose of: attempting to obtain a donation to a nonprofit organization, even if incidental to such purpose there is the sale of some good or service; or distributing a flyer advertising a commercial event, service or product.
A canvasser is a person who attempts to make personal contact without prior specific appointment, for the primary purpose of: 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 attempts to raise money for or against such cause; or distributing a handbill or flyer advertising a non-commercial event or service.
A peddler is a person who attempts to make personal contact, at a residence without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of attempting to sell a good or service. Generally, a transient merchant is any person, whether or not a resident of the city, who engages in a temporary business of selling and delivering goods, food, wares or merchandise within the city and to do so hires or uses any temporary building, vehicle, street, etc., for showing and selling the merchandise.