Lowell, MA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)
Key Facts
- Posting Method
- Clearly visible door sign
- Trespass Statute
- MGL c.266 s.120
- Registry
- No central list; post signs
- Permit Revocation
- Possible for violators
- Canvasser Limits
- Stratton case preserves speech
Summary
Lowell residents who post a No Soliciting or No Trespassing sign at their home can require door-to-door solicitors to skip the property, enforceable as criminal trespass.
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. This section shall not apply to tenants or occupants of residential premises who, having rightfully entered said premises at the commencement of the tenancy or occupancy, remain therein after such tenancy or occupancy has been or is alleged to have been terminated.
Full Breakdown
Massachusetts law and Lowell ordinance recognize the right of a resident to refuse solicitors by posting a clearly visible No Soliciting, No Trespassing, or No Knocking sign at the entrance. Licensed commercial solicitors must not knock, ring, or linger at homes displaying such signs. Ignoring the posted notice is treated as trespass after notice under MGL c.266 s.120 and can also trigger revocation of the solicitor permit. The city does not maintain a central no-knock registry, so residents should post physical signage. Religious and political canvassers still enjoy First Amendment protection under Watchtower Bible v. Village of Stratton (2002) but may not ignore clearly posted no-trespass signs targeted at them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a No Soliciting sign stop religious canvassers?
How do I report a violator?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lowell
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No-Knock Registry in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle no-knock registry.