King County, WA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- charitable/religious solicitation
- Unpaid-solicitor fee
- $40 per permit
- Paid-solicitor fee
- $1,000 per permit
- Small-group exemption
- under $2,500/year, all-volunteer
- Max penalty
- $250 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
Soliciting contributions for charitable or religious purposes in unincorporated King County requires a permit from the county director before any fundraiser begins: there is no general license for door-to-door commercial peddling.
It is unlawful for any person to solicit contributions for any charitable purpose within the county of King without a "charitable solicitation permit" issued by the director authorizing such solicitation; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to:
A. Solicitations by any organization operated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes and not operated for the pecuniary profit of any person, if the solicitations by such organization are conducted among the members thereof by other members or officers thereof, voluntarily and without remuneration for making such solicitations, or if the solicitations are in the form of collections or contributions at the regular assemblies, meetings or services of any such organization;
B. Any charitable organization which does not solicit and collect contributions in this county in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars in any one year period all of such fundraising functions are carried on by persons who are unpaid for their services. (Ord. 2053 § 2, 1603 § 3, 1973).
Full Breakdown
King County Code chapter 6.76 requires a charitable solicitation permit from the director before anyone solicits contributions for a charitable or religious purpose in unincorporated King County (K.C.C. § 6.76.030). Applicants file at least 30 days ahead, list officers, promoters, and fundraising costs, and pay $40 if solicitors are unpaid or $1,000 if solicitors are paid or take a cut. Groups raising under $2,500 a year with all-volunteer fundraising are exempt. Religious solicitation instead needs a certificate of registration under § 6.76.170. The code has no separate license for general commercial door-to-door peddling or sales: only charitable and religious solicitation are permitted activities here.
Violations & Fines
Willfully violating chapter 6.76, soliciting without a permit, without required credentials, or by misrepresentation, is a misdemeanor: up to a $250 fine, 90 days in county jail, or both (K.C.C. § 6.76.200).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this permit cover door-to-door sales or peddling?
Does this rule apply inside Seattle or other cities?
How much does a charitable solicitation permit cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
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