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

St. Louis maintains 204 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 in St. Louis must obtain a Peddler or Solicitor license from the Business License office and carry the permit while working. Solicitations must stop at houses posted with No Solicitors signs, and operation is limited to daytime hours.

Key details: License: Required for commercial. Hours: ~9 AM - 8 PM typical. Display: Carry permit, show on request. No Solicitors: Must be respected. Political/Religious: First Amendment protected.

Operating without a required license: typical fine $100-$500 per offense. Trespass despite No-Solicitors sign is a municipal charge or state misdemeanor under RSMo 569.140.

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.