Burlington, WI Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Section 254-1 finds that the City has a substantial interest in identifying and holding accountable persons soliciting sales at private residences and businesses, and it built the direct-seller article to serve that interest through content-neutral registration rather than a ban. Section 254-1E lists what the Clerk's registration form must capture: the applicant's name, permanent and temporary address, physical description, the entity the applicant represents, the nature of the goods or services, vehicle information, the last three cities where the applicant worked, and any crime or ordinance conviction substantially related to the business within five years.

Applicants must also present a driver's license or similar identification, a Wisconsin seller's permit, and, if applicable, a weights-and-measures certificate, and must pay the Council-set fee before the Chief of Police begins a background investigation that must finish within 72 hours excluding weekends and holidays; if the investigation or the Clerk's decision is not timely, § 254-1E(5) deems the application approved. Section 254-1F lets the Clerk refuse registration for a material omission, a registration revoked in the last three jurisdictions worked, or a related conviction within five years, and § 254-1G lets a denied applicant appeal under Wis.

16. Exemptions under § 254-1D cover permanent merchants, political and religious speech, invited home visits, repeat customers, and City-resident minors under 19 selling for a registered charity.