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Chelan County, WA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit required: yes, before soliciting outside city limits
Investigation fee: $10.00 at filing
Annual license fee: $10.00 per year
Bond for nonresidents: $1,000.00 surety bond
Max penalty: $100 fine or 60 days jail
Issuing authority: Board of County Commissioners
Investigating agency: Chelan County Sheriff

Summary

Anyone soliciting or canvassing door to door in unincorporated Chelan County must obtain a permit and license before selling goods or taking orders. The Chelan County Auditor processes a sworn application, the Sheriff investigates the applicant's character, and the Board of County Commissioners issues the license. Applicants who are not permanent Washington residents must post a $1,000 surety bond.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Chelan County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

It shall be unlawful for any solicitor or canvasser as defined in Section 5.16.020 of this chapter to engage in such business outside the corporate limits of any city or town in Chelan County without obtaining a permit and/or license therefor in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

View official code

Full Breakdown

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Violations & Fines

Soliciting without a permit is a misdemeanor under § 5.16.140, punishable by a fine up to $100.00 or up to sixty days in the Chelan County Jail. Sheriff's deputies who find an unlicensed solicitor can demand the license on the spot and enforce the chapter against violators (§ 5.16.080). The Sheriff reports every conviction to the Board of County Commissioners and keeps a permanent violation record for each license (§ 5.16.090).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to sell door to door in unincorporated Chelan County?

Yes. Chelan County Code § 5.16.010 makes it unlawful to solicit or canvass outside any city or town limits in the county without first obtaining a permit and license through the Chelan County Auditor and Sheriff.

How much does a Chelan County solicitor's license cost?

The annual license fee is $10.00 per calendar year or any part of it, plus a $10.00 investigation fee at filing if the applicant is not already known locally, under § 5.16.030 and § 5.16.050.

Does every solicitor need to post a bond?

Only applicants who are not Chelan County residents, or who represent a firm without a permanent Washington place of business. They must post a $1,000.00 surety bond under § 5.16.060 before the county issues a license.

What happens if I solicit without a permit?

You can be charged with a misdemeanor under § 5.16.140, punishable by a fine of up to $100.00 or up to sixty days in the Chelan County Jail, and deputies can demand your license on sight under § 5.16.080.

Sources & Official References

[1]Chelan County Code, Chapter 5.16 (Solicitors and Canvassers)

Other rules in Chelan County

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All Chelan County rules

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