Washington, DC Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal Effect
- No-soliciting signs must be respected by law
- Trespassing Code
- DC Code Section 22-3302
- Penalty
- Fines and up to 180 days imprisonment
- Reporting
- MPD non-emergency line
- Multi-Unit Buildings
- Managers may restrict common area access
Summary
DC residents can prohibit unwanted solicitors by posting 'No Soliciting' signs, which solicitors are legally required to respect. Violating a posted no-soliciting notice can result in trespassing charges under DC Code.
(a)(1) Any person who, without lawful authority, shall enter, or attempt to enter, any private dwelling, building, or other property, or part of such dwelling, building, or other property, against the will of the lawful occupant or of the person lawfully in charge thereof, or being therein or thereon, without lawful authority to remain therein or thereon shall refuse to quit the same on the demand of the lawful occupant, or of the person lawfully in charge thereof, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, imprisonment for not more than 180 days, or both. The presence of a person in any private dwelling, building, or other property that is otherwise vacant and boarded-up or otherwise secured in a manner that conveys that it is vacant and not to be entered, or displays a no trespassing sign, shall be prima facie evidence that any person found in such property has entered against the will of the person in legal possession of the property.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term "private dwelling" includes a privately owned house, apartment, condominium, or any building used as living quarters, or cooperative or public housing, as defined in section 3(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
(b) Any person who, without lawful authority, shall enter, or attempt to enter, any public building, or other property, or part of such building, or other property, against the will of the lawful occupant or of the person lawfully in charge thereof or his or her agent, or being therein or thereon, without lawful authority to remain therein or thereon shall refuse to quit the same on the demand of the lawful occupant, or of the person lawfully in charge thereof or his or her agent, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.
Full Breakdown
DC law requires licensed solicitors to observe 'No Soliciting' signs posted on private property. A solicitor who ignores such a sign or refuses to leave after being told to do so by an occupant may be charged with unlawful entry or trespassing under DC Code Section 22-3302. Many DC neighborhoods and condo buildings have adopted community-wide no-soliciting policies. The DC Police recommend residents post clear, visible 'No Soliciting' signs at eye level near their front door or gate. Residents should report persistent or aggressive solicitors to the Metropolitan Police non-emergency line. Building managers may restrict solicitor access to common areas in multi-unit buildings.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring no-soliciting signs may result in trespassing charges under DC Code Section 22-3302, which carries fines and up to 180 days imprisonment. Aggressive or threatening solicitation may result in additional criminal charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are no-soliciting signs legally enforceable in DC?
What should I do if a solicitor won't leave my DC property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington
Compare Washington to another location·View the District of Columbia soliciting & door-to-door overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.