Berkeley, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Business license
- Required for commercial solicitors
- Hours
- Typically 9 am to 8 pm
- No Solicit signs
- Must be honored
- Exempt
- Political, religious, charitable
- Report
- (510) 981-5900 non-emergency
Summary
Commercial door-to-door solicitors in Berkeley must obtain a business license and comply with time-of-day and No Solicitation sign rules; political, religious, and charitable canvassing is generally exempt.
602. Except as provided in subdivisions (u), (v), and (x), and Section 602.8, a person who willfully commits a trespass by any of the following acts is guilty of a misdemeanor: (h) (1) Entering upon lands or buildings owned by another person without the license of the owner or legal occupant, where signs forbidding trespass are displayed. (o) Refusing or failing to leave a public building of a public agency during those hours of the day or night when the building is regularly closed to the public upon being requested to do so by a regularly employed guard, watchman, or custodian.
Full Breakdown
Berkeley requires persons engaged in commercial door-to-door sales or solicitation within the city to first obtain a City business license under BMC Title 9. Solicitation must occur during reasonable daytime hours (typically between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier) and canvassers must leave immediately when asked. Posted No Solicitation signs at a residence must be honored and ignoring them can subject the solicitor to trespass enforcement under California Penal Code 602. Political campaigning, religious proselytizing, and charitable canvassing (not commercial sales) generally receive First Amendment protection and are not required to obtain a commercial permit, though they must still respect posted signs and reasonable hours. Residents can report aggressive or after-hours solicitation to Berkeley Police non-emergency at (510) 981-5900.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do campaign canvassers need a Berkeley permit?
What if a salesperson ignores my No Solicit sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Berkeley
California rules heatmap·Compare Berkeley to another location·View the California soliciting & door-to-door overview
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Solicitor Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle solicitor permits.