Austin, TX Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Title 10, Ch. 10-5
- Registration
- Required for door-to-door solicitors
- Hours
- Prohibited between 9 PM and 9 AM
- ID Required
- Solicitors must carry identification
- Exemptions
- Religious, political, and charitable solicitation protected
Summary
Austin City Code Title 10, Chapter 10-5 regulates solicitors and peddlers. Door-to-door solicitors must register with the city and carry identification while soliciting. Solicitation is prohibited between 9 PM and 9 AM. Austin also regulates aggressive solicitation (panhandling) under City Code provisions addressing pedestrian safety in traffic. Religious, political, and charitable solicitation receives First Amendment protection but must still comply with time and manner restrictions.
Sec. 30.05. CRIMINAL TRESPASS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person enters or remains on or in property of another, including residential land, a recreational vehicle park, a building, or an aircraft or other vehicle, without effective consent and the person: (1) had notice that the entry was forbidden; or (2) received notice to depart but failed to do so. (b) For purposes of this section: ... (2) 'Notice' means: (A) oral or written communication by the owner; ... (C) a sign or signs posted on the property or at the entrance to the building, reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders, indicating that entry is forbidden.
Full Breakdown
Austin's solicitor ordinance requires commercial door-to-door salespeople, canvassers, and peddlers to obtain a solicitor permit before operating in residential areas. Permit applications require identification, background checks, and a description of goods or services. Permitted solicitors must carry and display their permit badge while canvassing. Soliciting hours are limited to 9 AM–8 PM (or sunset, whichever is earlier) on weekdays and 10 AM–6 PM on weekends. Solicitors must leave immediately when asked by a resident. First Amendment-protected activities, religious canvassing, political campaigns, and nonprofit advocacy, are exempt from permit requirements but must still respect posted "No Soliciting" signs and hour restrictions. Texas state consumer protection laws supplement local solicitor regulations.
Violations & Fines
Soliciting without permit: $100–$500 fine. Soliciting outside permitted hours: $50–$200 fine. Ignoring "No Soliciting" signs: $50–$100 per occurrence. Failure to display badge: $50 fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do solicitors need a permit in Austin?
Are there exemptions from solicitor registration?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Austin
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Austin to another location·View the Texas soliciting & door-to-door overview
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Solicitor Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Travis County handle solicitor permits.