Caldwell, ID Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Caldwell City Code Article 6-5 makes it unlawful for any peddler or door-to-door salesperson, as defined in section 06-05-01, to work in the city without a license issued by the city clerk's office. The application must state the applicant's name and address, whether the license is for a peddler or door-to-door salesperson, the type of business, and a description of goods sold, plus proof of an Idaho resale number and a passport-sized photo. Under section 06-05-07(4), each applicant must request a fingerprint-based national background check through the Idaho state police bureau of criminal identification, with results sent to the city clerk; applicants under 18 instead undergo a locally administered check with the chief of police.

If a vehicle or cart will be used, proof of registration, insurance, and a description of the cart must be provided. Section 06-05-10 disqualifies applicants who are registered sex offenders, have been convicted of a violent felony, or within the past ten years were arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any felony, or within five years of specified misdemeanors involving force, theft, drugs, concealed weapons, or harassment. An outstanding warrant or a similar license revoked by any city within five years also bars issuance.

The city clerk refers applications to the chief of police for investigation, which must be returned within five working days; a timely-renewed license with no complaints on file can be approved administratively once without a new background check. The per-person license fee and renewal fee are set by council resolution and the license is valid twelve months. Licensees must carry the license and produce it on request, and exhibit it conspicuously if using a vehicle. Section 06-05-08 bars a licensee from claiming any fixed location in a public street, operating in a congested area at a police officer's discretion, or working in a city park or building, and food sales require Southwest health district certification under section 06-05-09.