Saint Paul's Soliciting & Door-to-Door: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles soliciting & door-to-door a little differently. In Saint Paul, Minnesota, 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
Peddlers, transient merchants, and solicitors must get a license from Saint Paul before going door to door, per City Code § 345.02. Solicitors doing business strictly by appointment are exempt from the license. Anyone selling edible products also needs the separate Chapter 331 food license, and transient merchants must file proof of their state license first.
Key details: License required: Peddler, solicitor, transient merchant (§345.02). Term: Expires 1 year from application (§345.04). Solicitor bond: $1,000 surety bond (§345.09). Badge: Photo badge worn on outer garment (§345.06). Exempt: Registered charitable/religious/political/educational orgs (§345.03).
Operating as a peddler, transient merchant or solicitor without the § 345.02 license is unlawful and exposes the seller to citation and license denial. The license is personal and non-transferable under § 345.07, so lending or borrowing a badge is a separate violation. Failing to post the $1,000 bond required of solicitors under § 345.09 blocks license issuance outright, and a wronged customer can sue that bond for a refund or damages.
No-Knock Registry
A Saint Paul resident who doesn't want peddlers or solicitors knocking can post a weatherproof 'NO SOLICITORS' card at the main entrance under Sec. 345.11(a). Once that card is up, § 345.11(c) bars anyone from ringing the bell or knocking to pitch a sale, and defying the card is declared an unlawful nuisance under § 345.11(f).
Key details: Card size: At least 3 in x 4 in, weatherproof (§345.11(a)). Lettering: 'NO SOLICITORS' letters at least 2/3 in tall (§345.11(a)). Solicitor duty: Must check for card before approaching (§345.11(b)). Card tampering: Only the occupant may remove/deface it (§345.11(d)). Defiant knocking: Declared an unlawful nuisance (§345.11(f)).
Section 345.11(f) declares defiant doorbell-ringing or knocking after a compliant card is posted both unlawful and a nuisance, opening the door to citation or nuisance abatement action. Removing, defacing, or hiding another resident's card in violation of § 345.11(d) is a separate offense reserved for anyone other than the occupant. Failing to leave immediately when a card-covered resident asks a solicitor to go, as required by § 345.11(b) and (e), is likewise a distinct violation of the same section.
The Bottom Line
Saint Paul'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 Saint Paul is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Saint Paul's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.