Dade City, FL Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required from
- Dade City clerk's office
- Application fee
- $5.00 investigation fee
- License fee range
- $1.50/day to $50.00/year
- Badge
- Must display 'Licensed Solicitor' visibly
- Background check
- Conducted by chief of police
- Maximum penalty
- $500 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
Dade City requires door-to-door solicitors and canvassers to get a permit and license from the city clerk before working the city, wear a visible 'Licensed Solicitor' badge, and pay a fee that starts at $1.50 a day. Violating the article carries a fine of up to $500 or 90 days in jail under Sec. 26-173.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this division shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00 or by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. ... The city clerk shall issue to each licensee at the time of delivery of his license a badge which shall contain the words "Licensed Solicitor," the period for which the license is issued and the number of the license, in letters and figures easily discernible from a distance of ten feet. Such badge shall, during the time such licensee is engaged in soliciting, be worn constantly by the licensee on the front of his outer garment in such a way as to be conspicuous. ... It shall be unlawful for any solicitor or canvasser, as defined in section 26-171, to engage in such business within the corporate limits of the city without first obtaining a permit and license therefor in compliance with the provisions of this division. ... The license fee for the license required by this division, which shall be charged by the city clerk for such license, shall be $1.50 per day, $5.00 per week, $10.00 per month, $50.00 per year.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 18 | Land Development Regulations: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 26, Article V of the Dade City Code of Ordinances governs door-to-door sales inside Dade City, Pasco County, Florida. Sec. 26-171 defines a canvasser or solicitor as anyone traveling house to house or street to street, by foot or vehicle, taking orders for goods, merchandise or future services, whether or not they carry samples, but the definition excludes wholesale salesmen who sell only to retail merchants for resale. Sec. 26-201 makes it unlawful to solicit or canvass in the city without first getting a permit and license.
Sec. 00 investigation fee. Sec. 26-203 routes the application to the police chief for a background check before the clerk issues the license. Sec. 00 per year, with annual fees assessed on a calendar-year basis and halved for licenses issued after July 1. Sec. 26-174 requires the clerk to issue a badge reading 'Licensed Solicitor' with the license period and number, which must be worn conspicuously on the front of the outer garment while soliciting. Sec. 26-205 requires solicitors to show their license on any citizen's request, and Sec. 26-206 lets the city manager revoke a license after notice and hearing for fraud, a disqualifying conviction, or conduct that breaches the peace.
Violations & Fines
Soliciting or canvassing in Dade City without the Sec. 26-201 permit and license is unlawful, and Sec. 26-173 punishes any violation of the licensing division with a fine up to $500.00, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both. Sec. 26-206 lets the city manager revoke a license after notice and hearing for fraud in the application, a disqualifying conviction, or conducting business in a manner that breaches the peace or menaces public safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell door-to-door in Dade City?
How much does a Dade City solicitor's license cost?
What happens if I solicit without a badge?
Are wholesale salesmen covered by this permit rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dade City
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Dade City to another location·View the Florida soliciting & door-to-door overview
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