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Soliciting & Door-to-Door

How St. Louis Handles Soliciting & Door-to-Door: A Practical Guide

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

St. Louis maintains 156 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 St. Louis falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Solicitor Permits

Door-to-door solicitors, canvassers, and peddlers in St. Louis must buy a license from the License Collector, $1 a day, $10 a month, or $15 a year, post a $1,000 surety bond, and wear a badge carrying their certificate whenever working the City's streets.

Key details: License fee: $1/day, $10/month, or $15/year. Surety bond required: $1,000. Badge: Must display on police demand. Application history: 5-year home address list. Issuing office: License Collector.

Noncompliance forfeits the $1,000 surety bond to cover any amount owed the City. Police or tax officials can demand the badge on the spot; soliciting without a current license and badge is a licensing violation under Section 8.06.452.

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

No-Knock Registry

St. Louis recognizes No Solicitors signs as legal notice that solicitation is refused. Commercial solicitors who knock despite a posted sign commit trespass and violate city solicitation ordinances; non-commercial speech remains constitutionally protected but should respect posted notice.

Key details: No-Knock Registry: None citywide. Signs: Legally binding notice. Trespass: RSMo 569.140. Non-Commercial: Must also respect signs. Enforcement: SLMPD + Business License.

Trespass under RSMo 569.140 is a Class B misdemeanor. Municipal solicitation violations typically carry $100-$500 fines and possible license revocation.

The Bottom Line

St. Louis'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 St. Louis is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on St. Louis's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.