Contra Costa County, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Before any door-to-door peddling/soliciting
- Application fee
- $5, nonrefundable
- Individual annual fee
- $60/year ($15 quarterly)
- Business annual fee
- $150/year plus $5/peddler
- Permit term
- Up to 1 year
- Issuing agency
- Contra Costa County Sheriff
- Key exemption
- Charities keeping 75%+ of funds raised
Summary
Anyone going door to door in unincorporated Contra Costa County to sell goods, take orders, or solicit funds needs a sheriff-issued peddler or solicitor permit first. Chapter 56-4 requires a $5 application fee, a background check, fingerprint and photo ID, and an annual permit fee of $60 for individuals or $150 for businesses that employ peddlers.
It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of peddler or solicitor within the unincorporated area of the county, or to go from door to door or house to house or street to street within the unincorporated area of the county, for the purpose, direct or indirect, and whether or not the same is the sole purpose, of peddling or soliciting, without first obtaining a permit therefor as provided in this chapter. ... For each person acting individually as a peddler or solicitor, sixty dollars per year, payable quarterly in the sum of fifteen dollars, for a three-month permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Ordinance Code: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
402 makes it unlawful to engage in the peddler or solicitor business, or to go door to door, house to house or street to street to peddle or solicit, anywhere in the unincorporated county without first obtaining a permit under Chapter 56-4. 602, must include the applicant's name, birthdate, home and local address, employer information, a description of what is being sold, whether the applicant has any felony or moral-turpitude misdemeanor convictions, two photographs, and a right thumbprint. 1002 sets the ongoing permit fee at $150 per year for a business that engages peddlers or solicitors, plus $5 per peddler employed, or $60 per year, payable quarterly at $15, for someone soliciting individually.
808 if the applicant has an unsatisfactory record, a felony or moral-turpitude conviction, or is under 14. 816. 404 exempts wholesale-to-retail sellers, public agencies, regular delivery routes (newspapers, dairy, laundry), state-licensed persons, farm-stand growers, and religious, political or charitable solicitors who turn over at least 75 percent of funds raised.
Violations & Fines
The sheriff can refuse or, under Section 56-4.1204, revoke a permit for fraud or false statements on the application, any violation of Chapter 56-4, conducting the business unlawfully or in a way that breaches the peace, a moral-turpitude conviction, or loss of a required health permit. A denied or revoked applicant can appeal to the board of supervisors within 15 days under Section 56-4.1206.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell door-to-door in Contra Costa County?
How much does a Contra Costa County peddler's permit cost?
Can charities avoid the solicitor permit requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Contra Costa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Contra Costa County to another location·View the California soliciting & door-to-door overview
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