Door-to-door commercial solicitors and peddlers operating in Albany must obtain a permit before going door-to-door. Applications go through the Albany Police Department, which conducts a background check and verifies identification. Non-commercial canvassers (political, religious, charitable) cannot be required to obtain a permit under the First Amendment, but solicitors must still respect posted "No Soliciting" signs. Solicitation is limited to reasonable daylight hours and prohibited on the city's Do-Not-Knock list.
The City of Albany regulates commercial door-to-door solicitation, peddling, and canvassing through provisions in the Albany City Code (codified at eCode360 AL0934). Anyone going door-to-door to sell goods or services for profit — magazine subscriptions, home-improvement services, alarm systems, energy contracts, lawn care, etc. — must apply for a solicitor or peddler permit before operating in Albany. Applications are processed by the Albany Police Department, which requires government-issued photo identification, the applicant's residential address and employer, the goods or services to be offered, and the proposed dates of operation. APD performs a criminal-background check; the city may deny a permit to applicants with disqualifying convictions for fraud, theft, or violent crimes.
Approved solicitors are issued a photographic permit badge that must be worn or carried and displayed on demand to any resident or police officer. The code restricts permitted solicitation to reasonable daylight hours — typically 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, or until sunset if earlier — and prohibits soliciting on Sundays and listed legal holidays. Solicitors must immediately leave any property posted with a "No Soliciting" or "No Trespassing" sign; ignoring the sign converts the visit into a trespass under NY Penal Law §140.05 in addition to a code violation. Albany maintains an opt-in Do-Not-Knock list; permittees are given the list with their badge and may not solicit addresses on it.
Non-commercial canvassing — campaigning for a candidate or ballot question, distributing religious literature, soliciting for a registered §501(c)(3) charity, or advocating a political cause — is protected speech under the First Amendment (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society v. Stratton, 536 U.S. 150 (2002)). Albany cannot, and does not, require a permit for non-commercial canvassing. Non-commercial canvassers must still honor posted no-soliciting signs and refrain from trespass; they are not entitled to a permit and are not on the Do-Not-Knock list, but residents may still call the police if a canvasser refuses to leave.
Soliciting without a required permit, soliciting outside permitted hours, refusing to display a badge, or soliciting an address on the Do-Not-Knock list is a city-code violation carrying fines typically $100–$500 per offense, plus possible permit revocation. Ignoring a posted "No Soliciting" sign is also a Class B misdemeanor trespass under NY Penal Law §140.05 (up to 90 days jail / $500 fine). To report an unlicensed or aggressive solicitor, residents can call Albany Police non-emergency at (518) 438-4000 or 311 and request a badge check.
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