Cecil County, MD Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)
Key Facts
- Posted-sign rule
- No entry if sign says "No Peddlers, No Solicitors, No Agents"
- Earliest hour
- 9:00 a.m.
- Latest hour
- 1/2 hour after sunset or 8:00 p.m., whichever earlier
- Permit issuer
- Department of Permits and Inspections
- Max fine
- $500 plus up to 3 months jail
- Permit term
- Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 annually
Summary
In unincorporated Cecil County, a posted "No Peddlers, No Solicitors, No Agents" sign makes it unlawful for any licensed peddler or solicitor to ring the doorbell, knock or enter the property. Soliciting is also barred before 9:00 a.m. and after the earlier of 1/2 hour past sunset or 8:00 p.m.
It shall be unlawful for any peddler or solicitor in plying his/her trade to enter upon any premises or property or to ring the doorbell or knock upon or enter any building whereon there is painted or otherwise affixed or displayed to the public view any sign containing any or all of the following words: "No Peddlers, No Solicitors, No Agents," or other wording, the purpose of which purports to prohibit peddling or soliciting on the premises. ... Within the unincorporated boundaries of Cecil County, soliciting or peddling shall be prohibited before the hour of 9:00 a.m. or after the earlier of 1/2 hour after sunset or 8:00 p.m.
Full Breakdown
A(2) makes it unlawful for any peddler or solicitor plying his or her trade to enter upon a premises, ring the doorbell, knock upon or enter any building that displays a sign reading "No Peddlers, No Solicitors, No Agents" or similar wording meant to prohibit peddling or soliciting. The same section bars remaining on a private residence or its premises after the owner or occupant asks the person to leave, and forbids transferring a peddler's permit from one person to another. m. B. Exemptions carved out in § 265-4 cover farm produce sellers, local seafood, registered charitable and civic solicitors, previously ordered deliveries, regular route deliverymen, newspaper delivery, school-affiliated groups tied to a Cecil County school, and County-organized youth sports teams; those categories are not bound by the hours or the posted-sign rule. window, is violating the chapter regardless of whether the resident answers the door.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of Chapter 265, including entering a posted property or soliciting outside permitted hours, is a misdemeanor under § 265-8. Conviction carries a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment of up to three months, or both, and each separate violation is charged as its own offense. A permit may also be revoked under § 265-6.B for any chapter violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a solicitor ring my doorbell if I post a no-soliciting sign?
What hours can peddlers legally solicit in unincorporated Cecil County?
Are charities and school groups exempt from the peddling permit rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cecil County
Compare Cecil County to another location·View the Maryland soliciting & door-to-door overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.