Port St. Lucie's Soliciting & Door-to-Door: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles soliciting & door-to-door a little differently. In Port St. Lucie, Florida, 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

Property owners in Port St. Lucie who do not want door-to-door solicitors can post a sign at the entrance to say so, and Sec. 112.06 makes it unlawful for any solicitor or peddler to enter after seeing that notice. Sec. 112.03 separately bars entering without permission at all, and Sec. 112.04 requires a solicitor to leave immediately once asked.

Key details: Opt-out method: Posted sign at entry, Sec. 112.06. Entry without permission: Unlawful regardless of a sign, Sec. 112.03. Must leave on request: Sec. 112.04, immediate departure required. Violation reporting: Chief of Police reports convictions, Sec. 112.11. First-offense fine: Up to $500.00, Sec. 112.99.

Entering a property that displays a proper no-soliciting sign, entering any other private premises without permission, or refusing to leave when asked, are each separate unlawful acts under Sec. 112.03, 112.04 and 112.06. Prosecuted under Sec. 112.99, a first violation carries a fine of up to $500.00, subsequent violations can be prosecuted to the full extent state law allows, and the Chief of Police may recommend revoking the offender's solicitor permit.

Solicitor Permits

Anyone going door to door in Port St. Lucie to sell goods, wares, merchandise or services must get a permit from the Police Department under Sec. 112.20 before making a single knock. Sec. 112.21 requires a sworn application with fingerprints submitted to FDLE, the Chief of Police investigates within 15 business days, and Sec. 112.10 caps uninvited solicitation to 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Key details: Permit required: Before any door-to-door solicitation, Sec. 112.20. Issuing authority: Police Department / licensing official. Application review time: Up to 15 business days, Sec. 112.22. Lawful solicitation hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. Permit term: Expires one year from issuance.

Soliciting without a permit, or beyond the permitted hours and distances, violates Chapter 112 and is punishable under Sec. 112.99 by a fine of up to $500.00 for a first offense, with subsequent offenses prosecuted to the full extent state law allows. A court may also revoke the offender's permit. The Chief of Police reports every conviction to the licensing official, which keeps a violation record tied to each permit under Sec. 112.11.

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

The Bottom Line

Port St. Lucie'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 Port St. Lucie is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Port St. Lucie 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.