San Mateo, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)
Key Facts
- No-Knock Registry
- None: no formal program
- No-Soliciting Signs
- Recommended as deterrent
- Trespass Law
- CA Penal Code §602
- Police
- SMPD: 650-522-7700
- Religious/Political
- Protected but must leave if asked
Summary
San Mateo respects no-soliciting signs posted by residents. The city does not maintain a formal no-knock registry. California Penal Code 602 applies to solicitors who refuse to leave after being asked. Residents can post no-soliciting signs as a deterrent.
602. Except as provided in subdivisions (u), (v), and (x), and Section 602.8, a person who willfully commits a trespass by any of the following acts is guilty of a misdemeanor: [...] (o) Refusing or failing to leave land, real property, or structures belonging to or lawfully occupied by another and not open to the general public, upon being requested to leave by (1) a peace officer at the request of the owner, the owner's agent, or the person in lawful possession, and upon being informed by the peace officer that he or she is acting at the request of the owner, the owner's agent, or the person in lawful possession.
Full Breakdown
The City of San Mateo does not maintain a formal no-knock registry or do-not-solicit list. Residents who wish to discourage door-to-door solicitation can post no-soliciting signs on their property. While no-soliciting signs do not have specific legal force under the municipal code, they establish the property owner's intent. Solicitors who ignore posted signs and refuse to leave when asked may be cited for trespassing under California Penal Code Section 602. The San Mateo Police Department responds to complaints about persistent solicitors at the non-emergency number 650-522-7700. Religious and political canvassers are constitutionally protected but must also leave when asked.
Violations & Fines
No specific no-soliciting sign violation exists. Trespassing (refusal to leave) is enforceable under CA PC §602. Aggressive solicitation may result in additional charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Mateo have a no-knock list?
What if a solicitor ignores my no-soliciting sign?
Do no-soliciting signs apply to religious visitors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo to another location·View the California soliciting & door-to-door overview
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