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

If you live in San Marcos or are thinking about moving there, soliciting & door-to-door are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. San Marcos has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of soliciting & door-to-door, and some of them might surprise you.

Solicitor Permits

San Marcos requires anyone acting as a door-to-door solicitor or peddler to hold a one-year solicitor's license and identification card, at $80 for a new license and $55 for the ID card, plus fingerprinting, a background check, and compliance with posted no-soliciting signs and an 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew.

Key details: License term: One year. New solicitor's license fee: $80.00. License renewal fee: $70.00. New ID card fee: $55.00. Solicitation curfew: 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m..

No person may solicit door to door between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. local time except by prior appointment (Sec. 5.20.100). A solicitor may not contact or attempt to contact any resident whose house or dwelling displays a sign at least one inch tall at the entrance prohibiting solicitation, nor may a solicitor approach members of the public at a private commercial property posted the same way (Sec. 5.20.110). Because Chapter 5.20 sets no separate penalty clause, violations are enforced as a general Municipal Code infraction under Sec. 1.12.010, escalating to a misdemeanor on a fourth violation of the same provision within one year, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.

Compared to other cities, San Marcos takes a harder line on solicitor permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

No-Knock Registry

In San Marcos a solicitor may not contact or attempt to contact the occupant of any home where the owner has posted a no-solicitation notice: in letters at least one inch high, clearly visible from the normal entrance.

Key details: Trigger: Posted no-solicit notice. Lettering: At least 1 inch high. Placement: Visible from entrance. Code section: SMMC 5.20.110.

Contacting a resident who has posted a compliant no-solicitation sign violates SMMC 5.20.110 and is enforced by the city.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. San Marcos actively enforces its no-knock registry requirements.

The Bottom Line

San Marcos is tougher than many cities when it comes to soliciting & door-to-door. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in San Marcos, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that San Marcos 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.