Franklin County, WA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Solicitor fee
- $75 per year (rose from $50 in 2008)
- Application info required
- Goods description and bank references for the company
- Issuing agency
- Planning and Building Department
- Renewal deadline
- February 28; $15 late fee after March 1
- Appeal window
- 10 days to Board of County Commissioners
- Unregistered penalty
- $25 per day of operation
- Misdemeanor penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
Anyone going door to door in unincorporated Franklin County taking orders for future delivery of goods or services must register as a solicitor with the Planning and Building Department, paying a $75 annual fee and disclosing the goods sold and bank references for the company represented, under Franklin County Code Chapter 5.04.
"Solicitor" means: 1.Any person who goes from house to house or place to place within Franklin County, taking or offering to take orders for the sale of goods, wares, merchandise, services, or anything of value for future delivery or performance from persons not commercial users or sellers of such service or commodity; or2.Any person who, while taking or offering to take orders for the sale of goods, wares, merchandise, services, or anything of value for future delivery or performance, stands or sits in a doorway, any unenclosed vacant lot, parcel of land, or in any other public place not used by such person as a permanent place of business. ... 20.Solicitors. Solicitors shall pay a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for business registration plus they must provide a description of the goods they sell plus bank references for the company they represent. The fee will be seventy-five dollars ($75.00) effective January 1, 2008.
Full Breakdown
010 defines a 'solicitor' as anyone who goes house to house or place to place within Franklin County taking or offering to take orders for future delivery of goods, wares, merchandise or services from people who are not commercial buyers, or who stands or sits in a doorway, vacant lot or public place doing the same, distinct from a 'peddler' who sells for immediate delivery on the spot. The definition also reaches any firm that hires others to solicit as employees, agents or independent contractors, but exempts anyone soliciting for charitable or religious purposes.
110(C)(20) sets the solicitor fee at $75 per year, effective January 1, 2008, up from the original $50, plus a description of the goods sold and bank references for the represented company. 060 before the director grants or denies the registration. 090. 080(D). 030 exempts farmers peddling their own produce and yard sales or home parties grossing under $10,000 a year.
Violations & Fines
Soliciting without the required registration draws a $25 per day penalty under Section 5.04.140, on top of the registration fee owed. Violating any other provision of Chapter 5.04 is a misdemeanor under Section 5.04.160, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines, up to 90 days in the county jail, or both. The sheriff or Planning and Building Director can seize a registration on the spot for a violation committed in their presence under Section 5.04.170.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to go door to door selling in unincorporated Franklin County?
What information do I have to submit as a solicitor?
Are charity or church canvassers exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
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