Elyria, OH Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Chapter 737 of the Elyria Codified Ordinances regulates solicitors, canvassers and peddlers through a registration system run by the Safety-Service Director. Section 737.01 defines the term as any individual, resident or not, traveling by foot, cart, automobile or other conveyance from place to place, house to house or street to street, selling or taking orders for goods, wares, merchandise, tangible personal property or services, whether or not for later delivery and whether or not advance payments are collected. It excludes minors under 16, local newspaper delivery and subscription solicitation, food products under the Department of Health's jurisdiction, and sales made exclusively to commercial or industrial enterprises.

The written application under § 737.03 asks for name, age and description, permanent and local addresses, birth date, height, weight and eye and hair color, the nature of the business and goods, the employer's name and credentials, how long the business will run, where the goods are made, two photographs one inch by one inch taken within six months, any felony or misdemeanor convictions, the vehicle make, model, year and registration, the driver's license number, two personal references and the marketing method.

With the nonrefundable fee listed as Solicitor's Permit in General Fee Schedule § 109.05, the Safety-Service Director or a designee has ten business days to review the application (§ 737.04). Denial is allowed for failure to comply with other City ordinances or a conviction for any felony, any sexually oriented offense, any theft offense or any crime of moral turpitude. The registration lasts one year, and each firm, partnership or corporation must register as well as each individual.

The card issued under § 737.05 must be worn on outer apparel at all times while soliciting and shown on request. A revoked registrant has ten days from receipt of the certified-mail notice to appeal to the Mayor, whose decision is final (§ 737.09). Registrations cannot be assigned or transferred (§ 737.10).