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Bloomington, IN Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License required
Yes, from the city controller
License fee range
$25 (1 day) to $350 (1 year)
Application deadline
14 days before starting
Prohibited hours
Dusk to 8:00 a.m.
First-offense fine, no license
$2,500
Insurance minimum
$100,000 injury / $25,000 property

Summary

Anyone soliciting door-to-door in the City of Bloomington, whether selling goods, taking orders or collecting contributions, must get a business license from the city controller before starting, under Bloomington Municipal Code § 4.16.030. Chapter 4.16 sets the application, fees, insurance, conduct rules, and hour and location limits solicitors must follow, enforced by the controller's office, the Board of Public Works and the Bloomington Police Department.

4.16.030 - Business license—Required. (a)It is unlawful to locate as a solicitor in the city without first having secured a license to do so as provided by this chapter.(b)This chapter does not apply to any recognized participant of a special event.(c)It is not necessary to obtain a temporary use permit under Chapter 20 of the Bloomington Municipal Code in order to obtain a license to locate as a solicitor under this chapter.

Full Breakdown

040, and must list the applicant's name, address, phone, email and date of birth, the represented firm's information, the products or services offered, the hours of operation, and any prior license revocation. 090. 060 fee schedule; churches, schools, and benevolent or fraternal groups pay no fee if proceeds are charitable, and honorably discharged veterans are fee-exempt under Ind. Code 25-25-2-1. The $25 application fee applies toward the license fee if granted; if denied, $20 is kept to cover the city's review costs. 100); a denial can be appealed to the Board of Public Works within ten days.

130 bars soliciting in city parking lots without board approval, in streets, medians or alleys, within a block of a permitted special event, on properties posted "no solicitation," and on the B-Line Trail outside three named segments. 150 bans amplified pitches, approaches closer than three feet after an objection, and approaching stopped vehicles.

Violations & Fines

Soliciting without the required license carries a $2,500 fine for a first offense, $5,000 for a second within twelve months, and $7,500 for a third or later offense, under § 4.16.160. Other violations of Chapter 4.16, such as ignoring the location or hour restrictions, carry a $250 first-offense fine rising to $500 and $1,000. The Board of Public Works can suspend or revoke a license after notice and hearing, and an enforcement officer may issue a warning before citing a first-time violator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to sell door-to-door in the City of Bloomington?
Yes. Bloomington Municipal Code § 4.16.030 makes it unlawful to locate as a solicitor in the city without first securing a business license from the city controller, unless you are a recognized participant in a city-designated special event.
What hours can a solicitor knock on doors in Bloomington?
Section 4.16.140 bars soliciting in any residential neighborhood or building between dusk and 8:00 a.m. unless a resident there has specifically requested or invited the visit.
How much does a Bloomington solicitor license cost?
Fees run from $25 for a one-day license to $350 for a one-year license under § 4.16.060, plus a $25 application fee. Churches, schools and charitable groups collecting for exempt purposes, and honorably discharged veterans, pay no fee.
What happens if I solicit in Bloomington without a license?
Section 4.16.160 sets a $2,500 fine for a first offense, rising to $5,000 for a second and $7,500 for a third within twelve months, and the Board of Public Works can suspend or revoke any license after notice and a hearing.

Sources & Official References

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