Clarkstown, NY Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Chapter 208, adopted in 2019, requires a Town Clerk-issued license before anyone may hawk, peddle, vend, or canvass for orders on a public street or private property in Clarkstown (§ 208-6). The written application (§ 208-9) must include the applicant's name, address, date of birth, physical description, driver's license number, five years of residence and employment history, three 2-inch-by-2-inch photographs, any prior criminal convictions, and any past license revocations. Within two business days the Town Clerk refers the application to the Chief of Police, who has five business days to investigate and can only reject it for one of seven listed reasons under § 208-10: Level 3 sex-offender status, an outstanding order of protection, conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, burglary or violence, being wanted by law enforcement, a prior peddling-law violation, fraud, or a material misrepresentation on the application.

Approved applicants pay a Town Board-set fee (§ 208-8), receive a badge bearing their photo and the Town Seal that must be worn on the outermost garment while working (§ 208-15), and the license runs only through December 31 of the year issued (§ 208-13). Section 208-7 exempts wholesalers selling to Town businesses, sellers with established regular customers, minors under 18 accompanied by a parent and unpaid, and activities licensed under the state General Business Law or Insurance Law. A denied applicant can appeal to the Town Board within 14 days of the denial notice under § 208-24.