Downey, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Chief of Police
- Soliciting hours
- 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Mon-Sat only
- Minor solicitor fee
- $5/year if under 14, supervised
- Revocation notice
- 7 calendar days before taking effect
- Appeal deadline
- 7 calendar days to City Council
- Noise limit
- no noise audible past 100-foot radius
Summary
No peddler, solicitor, hawker or itinerant merchant may knock on a Downey door to sell goods, services or subscriptions without first getting a permit from the Chief of Police under Municipal Code Section 6500. The permit process runs through the Chapter 4 procedure: a sworn application, fingerprints, a police background check, and a right to appeal a denial to the City Council.
No peddler, solicitor, hawker, itinerant merchant, transient vendor or merchandiser or other person shall enter upon any premises within the City or ring a bell or knock on the door of any residence, dwelling, flat or apartment for the purpose of soliciting orders for the sale of or for the purpose of selling goods, wares, merchandise, newspapers, books, periodicals, magazines, insurance, stocks, or accounts, services, or any other thing or for the purpose of advertising or demonstrating the same or for the purpose of disposing of or peddling the same, or for the purpose of buying, or soliciting the sale of any junk, rags, bottles, old metal or other similar items for salvage without first having received from the Chief of Police a permit to conduct or carry on such activity, business or enterprise. Provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to newspaper carriers 18 years of age or under who also act as solicitors and collectors for their own districts.
Full Breakdown
Section 6500 requires "a permit to conduct or carry on such activity, business or enterprise" before any peddler, solicitor, hawker, itinerant merchant or transient vendor may enter a residence's premises, ring a bell, or knock to sell or solicit orders for goods, wares, merchandise, newspapers, insurance, services, or salvageable junk, rags or metal. Licensed real estate brokers and agents and insurance producers licensed under Chapter 5, Part 2, Division 1 of the Insurance Code are exempt, as are newspaper carriers 18 or under soliciting in their own delivery district.
The permit is obtained under the Chapter 4 permit procedure: Section 6402 requires a signed, verified application listing the applicant's name and address, employer, the nature and location of the business, equipment used, a personal description, identifying evidence, and fingerprints and thumbprints. 1). 1). , Monday through Saturday, and Section 6504 bars deceptive sales tactics, failure to identify the company represented, misrepresenting cancellation rights, blocking sidewalks, loud noise audible beyond 100 feet, and leaving litter behind.
Violations & Fines
The Chief of Police may revoke a solicitor's permit under Section 6408 upon finding the business endangers public welfare or safety, or that the permittee broke any City or State law; revocation takes effect seven calendar days after notice unless the permittee appeals to the City Council under Section 6404. Soliciting outside Section 6501's hours or violating Section 6504's prohibited practices is likewise grounds for revocation and prosecution under Section 1200: a misdemeanor up to $1,000 and six months in jail, or a graduated infraction fine of $100 to $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every door-to-door seller need a City of Downey permit?
What does the city check before issuing a solicitor's permit?
What hours can a solicitor knock on doors in Downey?
Can the city take away a solicitor's permit after it's issued?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Downey
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