Alexandria, VA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Under City Code Sec. 9-10-22, engaging in peddling, canvassing or soliciting within Alexandria without a valid certificate of registration is unlawful. To get one, Sec. 9-10-23 requires a sworn written application filed with the city police department listing the applicant's name, home and business address, employer, a description of the goods or services offered, any criminal convictions, vehicle information, and two character references, plus fingerprints and a photograph taken by police. Sec. 9-10-24 sets the non-refundable processing fee at $10, and Sec. 9-10-26 gives the chief of police up to 16 days to grant the certificate unless the applicant has a felony or moral-turpitude conviction, more than one misdemeanor, a fraud conviction, or made a false statement on the application.

Sec. 9-10-29 requires every applicant to file a $1,000 surety bond with the chief of police guaranteeing honest dealing with Alexandria residents. Certificates are valid for no more than one year, are non-transferable, and automatically expire when the holder changes employers (Sec. 9-10-28). Peddlers and solicitors must carry their certificate at all times and show it to any householder or officer on request (Sec. 9-10-30). This article, Title 9 Chapter 10 Article B, covers general (noncharitable) peddling and solicitation; charitable solicitors are separately licensed under Article A of the same chapter.