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Norfolk County, MA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)

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

Key Facts

County Registry?
None: municipal only
Towns with Registry
Quincy, Brookline, Dedham, Weymouth, others
Exempt
Religious, political, nonprofit
Legal Basis
Watchtower v. Stratton (2002)
Where to Register
Your town clerk or police

Summary

Norfolk County has no no-knock registry. Several member municipalities (Quincy, Brookline, Dedham, Weymouth) maintain their own no-soliciting lists. Posted no-soliciting signs must be respected by permitted solicitors.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Norfolk County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

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.

Source: MGL c. 266 §120 (Trespass)View official code

Full Breakdown

No-knock registries in Norfolk County are municipal, not county-wide. Quincy, Brookline, Dedham, Weymouth, and several other Norfolk County towns maintain no-soliciting lists that residents can join free via the town clerk or police department. Registered addresses must be avoided by permitted commercial solicitors, and posted "No Soliciting" signs carry the same legal weight. Religious, political, and nonprofit canvassing are constitutionally protected and cannot be blocked by no-knock lists (Watchtower Bible v. Stratton, 2002). Residents should contact their individual town clerk to register: the county has no database.

Violations & Fines

No county enforcement. Municipal ignoring sign/registry: $50-$500 depending on town. Repeat violations: permit revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are typical penalties for violating no knock rules rules?
Most Norfolk County soliciting violations start with a written warning followed by escalating civil fines for repeat offenses. Specific dollar amounts and any criminal-misdemeanor exposure depend on the section of code; consult Norfolk County's municipal code or staff for the current penalty schedule.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Norfolk County

All Norfolk County rules

Compare Norfolk County to another location·View the Massachusetts soliciting & door-to-door overview

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No-Knock Registry in Cities Across Norfolk County