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Columbia, MO Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Mechanism
Post a 'No Soliciting' notice
Covers
Peddlers, hawkers, door-to-door vendors
Exception
Charitable solicitation still allowed
Citation
City Code § 16-161

Summary

Columbia, Missouri makes it unlawful for peddlers, hawkers, itinerant merchants, and door-to-door solicitors to enter a private residence once the owner posts a 'No Soliciting' notice, backed by a nuisance and misdemeanor penalty in Boone County.

The practice of being in and upon posted private residential property in the city, by solicitors, peddlers, hawkers, itinerant merchants, and transient vendors of merchandise, not having been requested or invited so to do by the owner or owners, occupant or occupants of such private residences, for the purpose of soliciting orders for the sale of goods, wares and merchandise, or for the purpose of disposing of or peddling or hawking the same, is hereby declared to be a nuisance, is declared unlawful, and is hereby prohibited.(b)The posting in a conspicuous place of a notice stating "No Soliciting, " or similar language upon the premises of a private residence, shall be prima facie evidence that the solicitors, peddlers, hawkers, itinerant merchants, and transient vendors of merchandise have not been requested or invited to be in and upon private residential property.(c)This section shall not apply to the solicitation of orders for sale of goods, wares and merchandise for charitable purposes.(d)Any person convicted of perpetrating a nuisance, as described in this section, shall be punished as provided in section 1-8 of this Code. (Code 1964, § 7.1105)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 138).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 16-161 declares it a nuisance and unlawful for solicitors, peddlers, hawkers, itinerant merchants, and transient vendors to be on posted private residential property in Columbia without an invitation from the owner or occupant. Posting a conspicuous 'No Soliciting' notice is prima facie evidence the resident never invited door-to-door sales visits, giving police and residents an enforceable no-knock tool without any city registry, license, or permit process. The ordinance carves out solicitation for charitable purposes, so nonprofit canvassers and fundraisers can still approach even a posted home.

Violations & Fines

A person cited for entering posted private property to solicit sales is charged with committing a nuisance under § 16-161(d), punishable as set out in the general penalty section, City Code § 1-8.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I legally stop door-to-door salespeople in Columbia, Missouri?
Post a conspicuous 'No Soliciting' sign at your home. Under City Code § 16-161, that posting is proof the solicitor was not invited, making further uninvited visits unlawful.
Does a 'No Soliciting' sign stop charity canvassers too?
No. City Code § 16-161(c) exempts solicitation for charitable purposes, so nonprofit canvassers can still approach a posted home in Columbia.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Columbia

All Columbia rules

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