Soliciting & Door-to-Door, Arlington Heights

If you live in Arlington Heights or are thinking about moving there, soliciting & door-to-door are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Arlington Heights has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of soliciting & door-to-door, and some of them might surprise you.

Solicitor Permits

Door-to-door solicitors and peddlers in Arlington Heights need a Village permit under Municipal Code Section 12-1002 before knocking on a single door. Applications go through the Building and Health Services Department, list every canvasser by name and driver's license number, and a residential permit is capped at 90 days within any 365-day stretch.

Key details: Permit required: Village permit for peddlers/solicitors, Sec. 12-1002. Where to apply: Building and Health Services Department. Permit duration: Max 90 days within 365 days, Sec. 12-1004b. Hours allowed: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., no Sundays, Sec. 12-1007. Tag days: Max 2 events, 4 days per year, Sec. 12-1005b.

Soliciting outside the 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. window, on a Sunday, or without a permit violates Article X and carries a fine of not more than $750.00 per offense under Section 12-1014. The Village Manager may revoke a permit outright under Section 12-1013 for any violation of the Article, an outstanding arrest warrant, or loss of the character qualifications required at registration.

No-Knock Registry

Arlington Heights residents can bar door-to-door solicitors with a weatherproof No Solicitors or Peddlers card at the main entrance under Municipal Code Section 12-1010. Once posted, the card is legally sufficient notice, and Section 12-1011 obligates every solicitor or peddler to look for it and leave immediately if it says no.

Key details: Card size: At least 3 inches by 4 inches, Sec. 12-1010. Lettering: At least one-third inch tall. Cost: Free cards available at Village Hall. Solicitor duty: Must look for and obey notice, Sec. 12-1011. Enforcement: Permit revocation, Sec. 12-1013.

Ignoring a posted No Solicitors or Peddlers card, or refusing to leave when an occupant orders a solicitor off the property, violates Article X and is punishable by a fine of not more than $750.00 per offense under Section 12-1014, plus permit revocation by the Village Manager under Section 12-1013.

The rules around no-knock registry in Arlington Heights lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Arlington Heights's soliciting & door-to-door rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Arlington Heights is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Arlington Heights can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.