Greenville, NC Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Section 11-4-1(A) makes it unlawful for any person, without first obtaining a permit, to go onto a private residence or premises in the city as a solicitor or peddler unless requested or invited by the occupant, or after getting the occupant's permission. Subsection (B) defines a 'solicitor' or 'peddler' as anyone soliciting or peddling orders for the sale of goods, wares, magazines, periodicals or merchandise. Under § 11-4-2, the applicant files a sworn written application with the Chief of Police giving name, age, fingerprints, current and prior addresses, employers for the past year, at least three credit references, whether the applicant has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, and two 2 1/2-inch by 2 1/2-inch photographs taken within the past year; employers filing on behalf of multiple solicitors must file a separate sworn application for each one.

Section 11-4-3 requires the Chief of Police to issue the permit if the applicant is law-abiding, has good credit standing and a verifiable employment history, and proposes lawful business during hours that will not unduly disturb residents; the permit must be carried at all times and shown to any police officer or person solicited on request. A denial can be appealed to the City Council under § 11-4-4. Permits are good for up to 12 months and are renewable under § 11-4-5, are non-transferable under § 11-4-6, and can be revoked under § 11-4-7 if the application turns out to be false or the permittee is convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, with an appeal available to the City Council. Section 11-4-8 exempts nonprofit educational, benevolent, religious, fraternal, charitable, patriotic or civic organizations soliciting without paying the solicitor.