Santa Clara County, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Sheriff's Office
- No door-knocking
- 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.
- Exempt
- sales/donations under $20 asking price
- Violation
- misdemeanor plus possible civil action
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County requires peddlers, solicitors, and itinerant merchants to obtain a Sheriff's Office permit, wear a photo-ID badge, and limit door-knocking to between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. or sunset.
It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business or activities of peddler, solicitor or itinerant merchant within the unincorporated areas of the County without having first obtained a permit pursuant to this chapter. Each individual must obtain a permit issued by the Sheriff, or designee, and operate in strict compliance with its provisions. It is unlawful for any permittee to allow or tolerate any person who does not also have a peddler, solicitor or itinerant merchant permit to work for or under the direction of, or on behalf of, or as an agent of the permittee. The requirements for a permit under this chapter are in addition to any requirements for a business license.
(Ord. No. NS-517.81, § 1, 6-19-12)
Sec. B35-4. - Exemptions from permit requirement. The following are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a permit under this chapter:
(a)A person who does not offer for sale any goods or services with an asking price or requested donation of less than $20.00 is exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter, including the payment of fees, but any such person must comply with the hours of operation limitations and signage provisions of this chapter.(b)Newspaper employees delivering newspapers by subscription, or any other previously arranged delivery of goods or services.(c)Any person engaged in a County-run or County-sponsored or sanctioned program. (Ord. No. NS-517.81, § 1, 6-19-12)
Sec. B35-5. - Applications.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Sec. B35-3 makes it unlawful to peddle, solicit, or operate as an itinerant merchant in the unincorporated county without a Sheriff-issued permit. Applicants under Sec. B35-5 submit a photo, Social Security number, permit history, and consent to a fingerprint check; the Sheriff investigates character and business reputation within ten working days (Sec. B35-6). Sales with an asking price or donation under $20, newspaper subscription delivery, and county-sponsored programs are exempt from the permit itself, though hours and signage rules still apply (Sec. B35-4). Conditions under Sec. B35-11 bar door-knocking between 7 p.m. (or a half-hour after sunset) and 10 a.m., require honoring posted "No Peddlers"/"No Solicitors" signs, and require the ID badge be shown on demand.
Violations & Fines
Violating this chapter is a misdemeanor (Sec. B35-15(a)), and the County or an individual may also pursue civil remedies with recoverable attorneys' fees; the Sheriff may deny or revoke a permit for fraud, a moral-turpitude conviction, or false statements (Sec. B35-8, B35-12), barring reapplication for one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell door-to-door in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
What if a house has a "No Soliciting" sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California soliciting & door-to-door overview
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