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

Chapter 30 governs peddlers, vendors, and canvassers countywide. Section 30-1 requires a permit before anyone engages in that business within Arlington County. Section 30-3's application must include the applicant's name and description, address, employer information if employed, the length of time peddling will occur that year, a vehicle description if one is used, proof of Virginia retail sales tax registration where applicable, fingerprints and two recent passport-size photographs taken at application, two character references, and a statement disclosing any prior criminal convictions; a $20 fee covers investigation and processing, and permits issued after March 1, 2002 expire every February 28.

Section 30-4 gives the County Manager 45 days after filing to investigate the applicant's business responsibility and character and issue the permit, and allows denial for a felony or crime of moral turpitude within the preceding five years, fraud or false statements in the application, or lack of other required licenses. 1 exempts fresh farm product sellers, newspaper sellers, wholesale-to-retail solicitors, peddlers of religious or political materials, and open-air market participants from the permit itself, but not from the chapter's street-use and door-to-door-hours rules in §§ 30-7 through 30-11.

Section 30-14 lets the County Manager revoke a permit after notice and a hearing for fraud in the application, a disqualifying conviction, or any violation of Chapter 30 or the licensing rules in Chapter 11. A permit holder or denied applicant can appeal to the Clerk of the County Board within 10 days, triggering a hearing before a Virginia-licensed hearing examiner who reviews for abuse of discretion under § 30-15.