Elizabeth, NJ Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

The application must state the canvasser's full name, address, age, height, weight, place of birth, marital status, residence history, prior arrests or convictions, employer, and a description of the project, and every applicant must be fingerprinted before a permit is issued (Section 5.28.050). The license inspector may refuse a permit if an investigation shows the canvasser lacks good character or is soliciting for a fraudulent project (Section 5.28.040). A first permit costs $35.00; renewals for the same applicant cost $100.00, and permits are nontransferable (Section 5.28.060).

Bona fide trainees accompanied by a licensed canvasser are exempt from the fee and application if employed less than 30 days. Canvassing is allowed only between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Section 5.28.070). Permittees must carry a two-by-two-inch photograph on the permit and show it to the license inspector, police, or anyone solicited upon request (Section 5.28.080), and must be courteous and not importune residents (Section 5.28.090). Every permit expires December 31st and must be surrendered to the license inspector (Section 5.28.100). Deliveries in the regular course of business and political, religious, charitable, or philanthropic canvassers are exempt from the permit requirement, but exempt canvassers under Section 5.28.110(B) must still notify the police director in writing of each canvasser's name, address, hours, and locations (Section 5.28.120). Solicitors and canvassers are barred entirely from the city's special improvement district, except for those covered by the delivery and religious/charitable/political exemptions (Section 5.28.130).