Fairfax, VA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Commercial peddlers and solicitors going door to door in the City of Fairfax must apply to the Commissioner of the Revenue for a license, which typically requires a completed application, proof of identity, background check, business license, and fee. The permit must be carried and shown on request. Permitted solicitation hours are generally limited to daytime and early evening (commonly 9 AM to 8 PM or local sunset, whichever is earlier), and solicitors may not knock on doors displaying a conspicuous No Soliciting notice. Aggressive, threatening, or fraudulent behavior is separately enforceable under state criminal statutes. Under the Supreme Court decision in Watchtower Bible v. Stratton, 536 U.S. 150 (2002), localities cannot require permits for non-commercial religious, political, or ideological canvassing; Fairfax City's ordinance is written to exempt these activities from the commercial permit regime. Residents may still exclude any visitor from their property, and refusal to leave after being asked can be charged as trespass under VA Code §18.2-119. Charitable solicitors must register with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under VA Code §57-49 if they solicit statewide, but local commercial permit rules still exempt them from commercial-style licensing requirements.