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.
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.
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.
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See how Austin's solicitor permits rules stack up against other locations.
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