Bristol Township, PA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Chapter 144 of the Bristol Township Code is titled the Bristol Township Peddlers and Solicitors Licensing Ordinance. Section 144-3 makes it a violation for any person, partnership, firm, organization or corporation to perform any soliciting or peddling in a public place, or by entering in or upon private property within Bristol Township, without first obtaining a license from the Office of Licenses, Zoning and Inspections.

The chapter defines peddling as selling goods, wares, services or merchandise for immediate delivery that the seller carries or controls on the streets or sidewalks, house to house, or on private property. Soliciting is seeking or taking contracts or orders for future delivery, or subscriptions or contributions, and it expressly reaches orders for home or building repairs, improvements and alterations and for mechanical, electrical, plumbing or heating equipment.

Under Section 144-4, the applicant files with the Director of the Office of Licenses, Zoning and Inspections on a blank the Director provides, verified by oath or affirmation. The form asks for the applicant's full name and local address, permanent address, employer or a statement of self-employment, the goods or services offered (or, for contributions, who benefits and for what purpose), any criminal convictions, and the type of vehicle used. An applicant who also needs a county license must exhibit a valid county license. Helpers each supply the same information and each needs an individual license.

The Director has 30 days to review. If no determination is made within 30 days, the application is deemed approved. Section 144-5 requires a separate application and fee for each solicitor or peddler, with fees set by Township Council resolution or ordinance (see Chapter 101, Fees). Continuing after a license expires is unlawful, and renewal takes a new application and the fee. Under Section 144-6 the license names the products or services to be sold, and the holder must carry it and show it to police officers, Township officials and citizens on request.

Chapter 144 does not apply to farmers taking orders for their own products, producers taking orders for bread, meat or milk products, sales of donated goods for charity, licensed insurance agents, persons taking orders from merchants for resale, or sales by charitable, religious, educational or civic groups made solely from a location they or their sponsor own.