Door-to-door solicitors and peddlers in Detroit must obtain a solicitor's permit from the City Clerk's office. The Detroit City Code regulates the hours, conduct, and registration of commercial solicitors operating within city limits.
Detroit City Code Chapter 31 (Peddlers, Solicitors, and Transient Merchants) requires anyone engaging in door-to-door sales or solicitation to obtain a permit from the City Clerk. Applicants must provide identification, a description of goods or services, and may be subject to a background check. Permits must be carried and displayed upon request. Soliciting is permitted only between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM (some provisions specify daylight hours). Solicitors must immediately leave a property when asked by the resident. Charitable and religious solicitation may have different requirements under First Amendment protections, but registration is still encouraged. Detroit Police enforce solicitation rules and respond to complaints about aggressive or unpermitted solicitors.
Soliciting without a permit is a misdemeanor subject to fines up to $500 and/or 90 days in jail. Refusing to leave a property when asked can result in trespassing charges. Aggressive or fraudulent solicitation carries additional criminal penalties.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
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