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

Every city handles soliciting & door-to-door a little differently. In Orem, Utah, 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 Orem to sell goods or seek donations must first obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Community Development Director, wear it visibly, and produce it on request. Registration requires a Utah Bureau of Criminal Investigations background check, and the City can deny or revoke it for fraud convictions, prior revocations, or sex-offender registry status.

Key details: Registration: Required before solicitation begins. Background check: Utah BCI check within 180 days. Certificate duration: Valid one year from issuance. Issuance timeline: Decided within 3 business days. Penalty: Class B misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 months.

Soliciting at a residence without a valid, visibly worn Certificate of Registration, or while exempt-status is unproven, violates Section 12-5-8(C)(2). Section 12-5-8(K) makes any violation of the solicitor rules a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, and a revoked Certificate must be returned to the City immediately.

This is one of the stricter rules in Orem's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

No-Knock Registry

Posting a "No Soliciting," "No Solicitors," or "No Trespassing" sign near an Orem front door or property line puts every solicitor on notice to stay away. Even without a sign, no solicitor may knock before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, or before 9:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays, unless the resident gave prior permission.

Key details: Sign placement: Main entrance door or property line. Weekday hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. only. Weekend/holiday hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. only. Departure duty: Must leave immediately if asked. Penalty: Class B misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 months.

Knocking, ringing a doorbell, or using deception to reach an occupant of a residence bearing a posted "No Soliciting" sign, refusing to leave immediately when a resident asks, or soliciting outside the 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. weekday and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. weekend and holiday windows without prior permission, are each violations of Section 12-5-8, punishable under subsection (K) as a class B misdemeanor with up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.

The Bottom Line

Orem'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 Orem is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Orem 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.