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Santa Maria, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing chapter
SMMC Chapter 4-14, Sections 4-14.01-4-14.04
Covered signs
"No Peddler," "No Solicitors," "No Peddlers or Solicitors"
Exception
Invited guests with household member's consent
Default penalty
Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail
Enforcement
Santa Maria Police Department, complaint-driven
Separate licensing
$500/yr peddler license under Section 4-3.396

Summary

Santa Maria bans peddlers and solicitors from knocking on doors or ringing bells at homes posted with a "No Peddler," "No Solicitors," or "No Peddlers or Solicitors" sign. Sections 4-14.01 through 4-14.03 make it unlawful to seek admittance at any residence carrying one of these three specific postings, with a narrow exception for invited guests.

It is unlawful for any peddler or solicitor selling, or pretending to sell, or offering for sale, or demonstrating or taking orders for, or soliciting orders for, goods, wares or merchandise of any kind or character, or any article, material or substance, to ring the bell, or knock on the door of any residence, dwelling, flat or apartment whereon a sign bearing the words "No Peddlers or Solicitors," or words of similar import indicating that peddlers or solicitors are not wanted on such premises is painted or affixed or exposed to public view, or to attempt to gain admittance thereto.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4818069; v9 updated 2026-04-07).

Full Breakdown

Santa Maria's peddler and solicitor sign law traces to the city's Prior Code (§ 17-11) and was carried forward unchanged into the current Municipal Code as Chapter 4-14. 3124) for the underlying business activity. Because Chapter 4-14 carries no penalty clause of its own, a violation falls under the Code's general misdemeanor provision.

Violations & Fines

A violation of Sections 4-14.01 through 4-14.03 is not separately penalized in Chapter 4-14, so it defaults to Santa Maria Municipal Code Section 1-6.01: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment in county jail for up to six months, or both, unless the City Attorney exercises discretion to charge the offense as an infraction. Santa Maria Police Department officers handle enforcement upon a resident's complaint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to post a no-solicitation sign in Santa Maria?
No. Santa Maria Municipal Code Sections 4-14.01 through 4-14.03 let any resident post a "No Peddler," "No Solicitors," or "No Peddlers or Solicitors" sign without a City permit. Once the sign is affixed or exposed to public view, it becomes unlawful for a peddler or solicitor to knock on the door or ring the bell at that address.
Does the sign law stop invited salespeople?
No. Section 4-14.04 exempts any peddler or solicitor who knocks or rings the bell "at the invitation or with the consent of some member of the household." The sign only blocks unsolicited contact; a resident can still invite a specific seller onto the property.
What happens if a peddler ignores my posted sign?
Chapter 4-14 has no penalty section of its own, so a violation defaults to Santa Maria Municipal Code Section 1-6.01, the citywide misdemeanor clause. That allows a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both, though the City Attorney can charge the case as a lesser infraction instead.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Santa Maria

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All Santa Maria rules

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