Everett, MA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Section 12-28 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, Massachusetts, covers door-to-door and public-way soliciting in this Middlesex County city. Subsection (a) bars any person from going from place to place or door to door, or occupying or using any part of a public way, to solicit charitable contributions, to conduct any survey or poll, or to sell or offer for sale any article or service whatsoever, without first obtaining a written permit. The permit comes from the chief of police or the officer in charge of the police department when the request is made, not from the Everett City Council or the City Clerk.

Subsection (b) sets the timing and conditions. A permit can be issued not more than seven (7) days before the date it takes effect, and it must specify the time of day and other terms and conditions under which it is issued. Anyone found soliciting without one must be informed of the rule and must obtain a permit before continuing.

The rule reaches beyond the individual canvasser. Under subsection (c), any company or organization for whom the solicitor is employed or otherwise associated with for door-to-door solicitation is responsible for the individual's violation of the permit terms or conditions, and for the individual's persistence in soliciting after being informed of the permit requirement. The company or organization is fined under Section 1-8 as well.

Sellers of food from carts and vehicles face a separate licensing layer: Section 12-41 requires a board of health license for itinerant sales of fruits, vegetables, meat, butter, cheese or fish. Utility workers who enter homes to read meters or work on telephone or cable systems fall under Section 12-27 and must carry a photo identification badge at least two (2) inches in height and width.