Buffalo, NY Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License required for
- Charitable solicitation, house-to-house canvassing, street sales
- Application lead time
- At least 30 days before solicitation
- Charitable proceeds threshold
- At least 85% of gross must go to charitable purpose
- License duration
- Up to 30 days, renewable once for 30 days
- Peddler hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., no Sundays (general peddlers)
Summary
No person may solicit funds or conduct sales for charitable, civic, religious, or similar purposes on Buffalo streets or by house-to-house canvass without obtaining a license from the Commissioner of Permit and Inspection Services.
No person shall solicit money, donations, property or financial assistance of any kind or sell or offer to sell any article, service, publication, advertisement, ticket, chance or subscription on the direct or implied plea or representation that such solicitation, sale or offer is for charitable, educational, civic, patriotic, benevolent, religious or philanthropic purposes, upon the streets or public places of the City or by house-to-house canvass, or by telephone or by mail or in any other way, unless the person making the solicitation, sale or offer shall possess a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this article.
No licensee, other than one who peddles popcorn, peanuts, waffles, confections or baker's products, shall peddle on the public grounds of the City before 7:00 a.m. nor after 7:00 p.m. nor at any time on Sunday.
Full Breakdown
Under Buffalo City Code § 316-27, a license is required before any person can solicit money, donations, or sell articles on a charitable/civic/religious plea on streets, public places, or by house-to-house canvass or telephone. Applications must be filed at least 30 days before the solicitation, and the Commissioner investigates whether at least 85% of gross proceeds will go to the charitable purpose. If approved, the Common Council issues a license valid for up to 30 days (renewable once for 30 more days). General merchandise peddling requires a license under § 316-1. Peddlers may not operate before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., nor on Sundays (with exceptions for popcorn, etc.).
Violations & Fines
Violators may be liable for penalties as prescribed in Chapter 137, Article I of the Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to go door-to-door raising money for charity in Buffalo?
Can street peddlers operate at any time in Buffalo?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Buffalo
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