Fairfax County, VA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License required by
- Section 31-2-1, Chapter 31 Article 2
- Issuing office
- Dept. of Cable and Consumer Services
- License fee
- $20, non-refundable
- License term
- 1 year, non-transferable
- Issue/deny deadline
- Within 60 days of application
- Penalty
- Class 2 misdemeanor
- Reapplication bar
- 1 year after denial or revocation
Summary
Canvassing, peddling or soliciting door-to-door in Fairfax County without a license is unlawful under County Code Section 31-2-1. The Department of Cable and Consumer Services issues one-year licenses for a $20 fee after fingerprinting and a background check, and the Director can deny, suspend or revoke a license for felony convictions, fraud, or consumer-law violations.
It shall be unlawful for any canvasser, peddler, or solicitor to engage in such business or act within the meaning and application of this Chapter within the County without first obtaining a license therefor in compliance with the provisions of this Article. ... The Director may, after investigation and finding that the health, safety and welfare of the public so demand, refuse to issue a license to an applicant for reasons including, but not limited to, the following: (1)Conviction of any felony within the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of filing of the application. ... Any person who violates or causes to be violated any provision of this Chapter shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 31, Article 2 requires every canvasser, peddler and solicitor operating in Fairfax County to obtain a license from the Director of the Department of Cable and Consumer Services before doing business, under Section 31-2-1; a promoter's license lets an arts-and-crafts show sponsor cover every vendor at the event instead of licensing each one. Applicants file in person, submit to fingerprinting and photographing, and disclose personal data, a physical description, criminal record, vehicle information and two character references (Section 31-2-4). The fee is $20, non-refundable even if the license is denied or revoked (Section 31-2-5).
The Director must issue or deny the license within 60 days, and may deny it for a felony conviction within the past five years, a crime of moral turpitude, fraud or false statements on the application, or missing permits needed to operate at the proposed location (Section 31-2-8); an applicant may instead get a temporary permit while the background check is pending. Licenses run for one year, are non-transferable, and become void if the licensee changes employer, goods sold or type of canvassing (Section 31-2-10).
The Director can suspend a license for up to ten days without a hearing, or revoke it on seven days' written notice for unlawful conduct, coercive sales tactics, refusing to stop a sales pitch when asked, or violating the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (Section 31-2-12). A denied or revoked applicant is barred from reapplying for one year (Section 31-2-15).
Violations & Fines
Engaging in unlicensed canvassing, peddling or soliciting, or any other violation of Chapter 31, is a Class 2 misdemeanor under Section 31-1-4. Refusing to show the license to a prospective buyer, the Director, or a police officer on request is separately unlawful under Section 31-2-2, and a licensee whose license is suspended or revoked must physically surrender it to the Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to sell door-to-door in Fairfax County?
How much does the license cost and how long does it last?
Can the County refuse to issue me a license?
What happens if I peddle without a license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
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