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

Every city handles soliciting & door-to-door a little differently. In Hampton, Virginia, 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.

Solicitor Permits

Anyone going door-to-door in Hampton to sell goods or take orders with payment collected in advance must first get a $20 solicitor's permit from the director of public safety.

Key details: Permit fee: $20 initial, $4.50 renewal. Permit term: 30 days, renewable. Issuing office: Director of Public Safety. Screening: Photographed and fingerprinted.

Acting as a solicitor without a valid permit, or failing to carry and exhibit it on request, violates this article and is a Class 1 misdemeanor under § 31-18.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Hampton actively enforces its solicitor permits requirements.

No-Knock Registry

Hampton residents and businesses can bar permitted commercial solicitors from their property by posting a conspicuous sign near the entrance saying they don't want solicitors, and entry without consent is unlawful.

Key details: Sign placement: conspicuous, near usual entrance. Applies to: permitted commercial solicitors only. Related offense: trespass after forbidden, § 24-33. Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor, § 31-18.

A solicitor who enters posted property without consent violates § 31-22 and can also be charged with trespass after having been forbidden under § 24-33; violating the solicitors article generally is a Class 1 misdemeanor under § 31-18.

The Bottom Line

Hampton'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 Hampton is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Hampton 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.