Boston, MA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)
Key Facts
- No-Knock Registry
- None: use posted signs
- Sign Effect
- Solicitors must respect or face trespass
- Trespass Law
- MGL c.266 §120
- Report To
- 311 or BPD
- First Amendment
- Political/religious have broader access
Summary
Boston residents may post no-soliciting signs to prevent unwanted commercial solicitation. Licensed solicitors are expected to respect these signs. Violating a no-soliciting request by continuing to solicit can constitute trespassing. There is no citywide no-knock registry, but residents can report persistent violators to BPD.
Section 120. Whoever, without right enters or remains in or upon the dwelling house, buildings, boats or improved or enclosed land, wharf, or pier of another, or enters or remains in a school bus, as defined in section 1 of chapter 90, after having been forbidden so to do by the person who has lawful control of said premises, whether directly or by notice posted thereon, or in violation of a court order pursuant to section thirty-four B of chapter two hundred and eight or section three or four of chapter two hundred and nine A, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days or both such fine and imprisonment. Proof that a court has given notice of such a court order to the alleged offender shall be prima facie evidence that the notice requirement of this section has been met. A person who is found committing such trespass may be arrested by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or police officer and kept in custody in a convenient place, not more than twenty-four hours, Sunday excepted, until a complaint can be made against him for the offence, and he be taken upon a warrant issued upon such complaint.
Full Breakdown
Boston does not maintain a formal no-knock or no-soliciting registry, but residents have the right to post no-soliciting signs on their property, and solicitors are expected to honor them. Under Massachusetts trespass law (MGL c.266 §120), a person who enters or remains on property after being told to leave or after observing a no-trespassing sign commits criminal trespass. This applies to solicitors who ignore no-soliciting signs or refuse to leave when asked. Commercial solicitors with city licenses are specifically advised to respect no-soliciting notices as a condition of their license. Condominium and apartment buildings may restrict solicitor access through building management policies and locked entry systems. The city encourages residents to report aggressive or unlicensed solicitors through 311 or directly to BPD. First Amendment-protected activity (political canvassing, religious outreach) may have broader access rights, but all visitors must leave when asked.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a no-soliciting sign and refusing to leave constitutes criminal trespass under MGL c.266 §120, punishable by a fine up to $100 or imprisonment up to 30 days. Aggressive solicitation may result in harassment charges. Licensed solicitors who repeatedly ignore no-soliciting signs may face license revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boston have a no-knock list?
What can I do about persistent solicitors in Boston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boston
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No-Knock Registry in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle no-knock registry.