Dane County, WI Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Madison General Ordinance §9.06 requires all direct sellers, peddlers, and transient merchants to register with the City Clerk, submit to a background check, pay a permit fee, and display a photo identification badge while canvassing. Wisconsin Statute §100.65 (Home Solicitation Sales) provides the state-level framework requiring three-day buyer's right to cancel on in-home sales over $25. Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, Monona, Waunakee, DeForest, Oregon, and McFarland each maintain their own peddler/solicitor ordinances with similar requirements. Soliciting hours across Dane County are commonly limited from 9 AM to sunset or 8 PM. Charitable solicitors must register separately under WI §440.41 (Charitable Organizations) with WI Dept of Financial Institutions. Political canvassing, religious proselytizing, and newspaper distribution are protected under the First Amendment and are exempt from permitting per Watchtower Bible v. Village of Stratton, 536 US 150 (2002). Permit denials must be based on objective criteria.