How Long Beach Handles Soliciting & Door-to-Door: A Practical Guide
Long Beach maintains 185 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 Long Beach falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Solicitor Permits
Long Beach requires anyone who peddles, going door-to-door selling goods or food, taking orders and delivering on the spot, to hold a City business license under Municipal Code § 3.80.210 before transacting any business, and to pay the peddling tax set by § 3.80.253(L). Chapter 5.66 layers curfew, school-zone and Tidelands restrictions on top of that license.
Key details: Business license required: LBMC § 3.80.210. Peddling license tax: $905.80/yr or $90.58/day. Residential curfew: 8:00 p.m.–9:00 a.m.. Minor peddler curfew: 5:00 p.m.–9:00 a.m.. School-zone ban: 7 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays, 1 block.
Peddling without the § 3.80.210 business license, or peddling in violation of the Chapter 5.66 hour, school-zone, noise or Tidelands restrictions, is punishable under the citywide general penalty clause, § 1.32.010: a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment in city or county jail for up to six months, or both, with the City Prosecutor able to charge it instead as an infraction. Each day a peddler operates without the required license or outside permitted hours is a separate offense.
No-Knock Registry
Long Beach regulates solicitors and peddlers under LBMC Ch. 5.66. Solicitors must respect 'No Solicitors' and 'No Peddlers' signs posted at residences. Violations are subject to administrative civil penalties under Ch. 9.65.
Key details: No Solicitors Signs: Must be respected. Code: LBMC Ch. 5.66. Penalties: LBMC Ch. 9.65 civil penalties. Enforcement: Code Enforcement and LBPD.
The Bottom Line
Long Beach'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 Long Beach is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Long Beach 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.