Gastonia, NC Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)

Section 5-28 bans two things: entering private premises when a "No Peddlers" or "No Solicitors" sign, or words of similar import, is conspicuously posted at the entry to the property or to the building, and remaining on any private premises once an occupant asks the solicitor or peddler to leave, which the ordinance says must happen immediately and peacefully. The section defines a "solicitor" as anyone who travels place to place without invitation seeking orders for future goods or services, or who asks for monetary contributions for a commercial or for-profit enterprise, and a "peddler" as anyone who travels door to door without invitation offering goods, services, wares, subscriptions, or other merchandise, including someone distributing flyers or advertising a commercial event.

It is separately unlawful for any person, organization, corporation, or business to instruct or organize someone else to violate the section. Enforcement escalates rather than jumping straight to a fine: a first violation draws only a warning, a second draws a $250 civil penalty, and a third or later violation draws a $500 civil penalty. The city can also pursue a civil injunction against further violations in addition to those penalties. The section was adopted by Ordinance No. 26-856 and became effective July 21, 2026.