Davenport, IA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License
- Transient merchant license required
- Applies to
- No permanent local address 1+ year
- Carry/display
- License shown on demand
- Exempt
- Nonprofit, own handcrafts, licensed agents
- Code
- Municipal Code Ch. 5.17
Summary
Davenport requires a transient merchant license for door-to-door sellers who lack a permanent local business address of a year or more. Licensees and their door-to-door employees must carry the license and show it on demand.
No person shall engage in transient sales covered by this chapter without first having obtained a transient merchant license as required by this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4820400; v43 updated 2026-03-11; through 03-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 5.17 regulates transient merchants, anyone selling goods or services, taking future-delivery orders, or soliciting funds without maintaining a permanent Davenport business address for a year or more. A transient merchant license is required before conducting such sales. Certain sellers are exempt, including nonprofit, school, and religious fundraisers, residents selling their own handcrafts, licensed real-estate and insurance agents, and vendors selling to licensed food establishments, but even exempt door-to-door sellers must obey the hours and posted-notice rules. Each merchant and door-to-door employee must keep the license on hand and display it to any customer or officer on demand.
Violations & Fines
The City may take possession of and hold the goods of a transient merchant it has probable cause to believe is operating in violation, and pursue municipal-infraction penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do door-to-door salespeople need a permit in Davenport?
Are Girl Scouts or church fundraisers covered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davenport
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