Folsom's Soliciting & Door-to-Door: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles soliciting & door-to-door a little differently. In Folsom, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

No-Knock Registry

Folsom residents may post 'No Soliciting' or 'No Trespassing' signs and solicitors, commercial or otherwise, must honor them. Ignoring a clearly posted sign or refusing to leave when asked is a violation of both FMC §5.16 and California Penal Code §602.

Key details: Sign Honored: Required by FMC §5.16. Ignoring Sign: Permit revocation + fine. Refusing to Leave: PC §602 trespass. Report: Folsom PD non-emergency. HOA: May post community-wide signs.

Solicitation despite posted sign: permit suspension/revocation plus misdemeanor fine up to $1,000 (FMC §5.16). Refusing to leave: misdemeanor trespass under PC §602, up to 6 months jail and/or $1,000 fine.

Solicitor Permits

Anyone going door to door in Folsom to solicit alms, money or charitable assistance on a public street needs a permit from the chief of police under Municipal Code Section 9.76.010. Commercial house-to-house sellers without a fixed local business or residence must instead register with the city clerk, pay a $0.50 daily fee, and post a $1,000 surety bond under Sections 9.76.020 and 9.76.030.

Key details: Governing section: FMC § 9.76.010. Permit issuer: Chief of Police. Registration fee: $0.50/day for commercial solicitors. Surety bond required: $1,000. Certificate validity: 30+ days.

Chapter 9.76 doesn't set its own separate fine schedule; Section 9.76.080 states the chapter is additional to, not a substitute for, other city ordinances on house solicitation, so a violation is enforced through the general municipal code violation and administrative-enforcement procedures in Chapters 1.08 through 1.10, the same track used for other permit and registration offenses citywide.

The Bottom Line

Folsom'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 Folsom is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Folsom 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.