Soliciting & Door-to-Door in Homestead, FL

Homestead maintains 129 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 Homestead falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

No-Knock Registry

Homestead lets residents block handbill distributors and solicitors by posting a sign near the entrance reading "No Trespassing," "No Peddlers or Agents," or "No Advertisement." Once posted, anyone who still distributes handbills there is violating City Code Sec. 23-21.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 23-21. Trigger: Posted sign near entrance. Qualifying signs: "No Trespassing," "No Peddlers or Agents," "No Advertisement". Default without sign: Handbill allowed unless resident objects (Sec. 23-20). Enforcement: Code enforcement board, Chapter 7.

Distributing a handbill on premises posted with a qualifying "No Trespassing"/"No Peddlers or Agents"/"No Advertisement" sign, or continuing after being told to stop, is a violation of Sec. 23-21 referred to the city's code enforcement board under Chapter 7. A business owner who distributes handbills in a shopping center without filed owner permission, or fails to clean up discarded handbills under Sec. 23-25, is likewise a code enforcement board violation subject to standard Chapter 7 penalties.

Solicitor Permits

Anyone peddling, soliciting or canvassing door-to-door in Homestead must get a license under City Code Article XIV before starting, backed by a police background check and a $35 investigation fee, then wear the city-issued ID badge at all times while working. Selling is confined to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the city council can revoke the license.

Key details: License required: Before any door-to-door sale or solicitation. Background-check fee: $35 (Sec. 16-345). Permitted hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Sec. 16-356). Appeal window: 14 days to city council (Sec. 16-355). Exempt: Local fixed-location businesses with tax receipt.

Soliciting without a license, or outside the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. window, is enforced by police, licensing and code enforcement officers under Sec. 16-358 and is punished as a general Code violation under Sec. 1-11: a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense. A revoked license immediately ends the right to solicit, and any contract taken through a Sec. 16-350 disclosure violation is void under Sec. 16-351, entitling the buyer to a refund.

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

The Bottom Line

Homestead'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 Homestead is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Homestead's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.