How Clearwater Handles Soliciting & Door-to-Door: A Practical Guide
Clearwater maintains 71 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with soliciting & door-to-door. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Clearwater falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
No-Knock Registry
Clearwater honors posted no-soliciting signs under Code Chapter 23, making continued contact after notice a trespass while protecting residents from unwanted door-to-door sales.
Key details: Code: Chapter 23. Trespass law: FS 810.09. Sign: Visible at entry. Registry: No city do-not-knock list.
Criminal trespass charges, citations under Chapter 23, and revocation of any solicitor registration on file with the city or county for repeat offenders.
Solicitor Permits
Going door to door in Clearwater to sell goods, services or real estate, or to canvass for orders, requires a solicitor's permit from the chief of police under Sec. 23.32. Applicants disclose their identity, employer and physical description, and the permit expires every September 30 regardless of issue date.
Key details: Permit issuer: Chief of Police (Sec. 23.32). Expiration: Every September 30, regardless of issue date. Disqualifying convictions: Fraud, violence or moral turpitude within 5 years. Reapplication bar: 1 year after a fraud/conviction denial. Must carry permit: Show it to police or the person solicited.
Soliciting or canvassing in Clearwater without carrying and displaying the permit violates Sec. 23.32 and Sec. 23.36, which requires the holder to show the permit on request to any police officer or person solicited. The chief of police can revoke a permit for any violation of city, state or federal law under Sec. 23.37, and an applicant denied for fraud or a disqualifying conviction is barred from reapplying for one year under Sec. 23.35(1).
This is one of the stricter rules in Clearwater's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
The Bottom Line
Clearwater'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 Clearwater is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Clearwater 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.