Palm Desert, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)

Chapter 5.84 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code is built around the resident's right to refuse. Section 5.84.030 makes it unlawful to distribute, peddle, pass out, give away or circulate noncommercial literature of any kind in the city once the intended recipient, or the owner, occupant or resident of the property where it would be left, has notified the distributor that they do not wish to receive literature. Section 5.84.040 says how the notice is given: by posting the property on or near the front door or main entrance with a sign at least twelve square inches in area stating, in effect, "No Handbills" or words of similar meaning, or by written communication to the peddler, solicitor or distributor.

Section 5.84.090 adds a direct order to leave. It is unlawful for a peddler, solicitor or person distributing literature or merchandise of any kind to refuse to leave any residence, dwelling, apartment or other private property or public place when requested to leave by the owner, occupant, resident, manager or other person in control.

Hours come from § 5.84.100. A person not otherwise prohibited by the chapter from soliciting for the sale of goods or merchandise, or delivering other materials or articles, can do so only between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with no delivery on Sunday. Charitable solicitors operating under the separate Chapter 5.80 certificate have their own window of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. any day of the week, and § 5.80.080 also bars them from soliciting against the public's right to refuse under §§ 5.84.030 and 5.84.040.

Left-behind material has its own rules. Handouts must be placed in the recipient's hand, bound or weighted so wind cannot scatter them, or affixed by tying to or slipping over a doorknob (§ 5.84.070), and scattering printed matter onto yards, doorsteps or porches is littering (§ 5.84.060).