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Pierce County, WA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License required by
PCC 5.10.010
Issuing office
Pierce County Auditor
Bond amount
$1,000 (≤10 employees) / $2,000 (>10)
Allowed hours
8 a.m.-9 p.m. without buyer consent
Maximum fine
$250 per violation, misdemeanor

Summary

Anyone peddling or soliciting door to door in unincorporated Pierce County needs a license from the County Auditor first. PCC 5.10.010 makes operating without one unlawful, with narrow exceptions for newspapers, farm produce, milk, and home sales parties.

City-specific rules exist: Lakewood, and Tacoma have their own solicitor permits rules that differ from Pierce County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

It is unlawful for any person to be or engage in business as a peddler or solicitor in Pierce County without first procuring a license so to do; provided, that no license shall be required for the peddling of, or soliciting orders for the sale of newspapers, bread, fresh milk, buttermilk, or ice, nor shall any license be required of any person peddling farm or dairy produce raised or produced by such person, nor shall any license be required of any person holding a home sales party.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-515, and legislation passed through May 26, 2026).

Full Breakdown

030 to include anyone going house to house or standing in a public place to sell goods or take orders for future delivery. Exceptions exist for people selling newspapers, bread, fresh milk, buttermilk, or ice, for farmers selling their own produce, for home sales parties, and for employees or agents acting on behalf of an already-licensed business or a regulated utility. 070, and the commodities or services covered. Applicants with ten or fewer employees must post a $1,000 surety bond naming the county as obligee; those with more than ten employees post $2,000, covering losses from the licensee's failure to comply with the chapter or to deliver as promised.

Licensees who use employees or contractors must furnish each of them a facsimile copy of the license, must maintain a roster of everyone holding one, and must surrender copies to the Auditor within two weeks after a peddler stops working for them. 110. 170, punishable by a fine up to $250.

Violations & Fines

Peddling or soliciting without the required license, or violating the bonding, disclosure, hours, or facsimile-credential requirements of Chapter 5.10, is a misdemeanor under PCC 5.10.170 punishable by a fine of no more than $250 per violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to go door to door selling in unincorporated Pierce County?
Yes, unless you fall under a specific exception. PCC 5.10.010 requires anyone peddling or soliciting orders to first obtain a license from the County Auditor, with exemptions for newspapers, farm produce, milk, ice, home sales parties, and employees of an already-licensed business.
Is there a bond requirement for peddler licenses in Pierce County?
Yes. PCC 5.10.070 requires a $1,000 surety bond for licensees with ten or fewer employees and $2,000 for those with more, naming the county as obligee to cover losses from noncompliance or undelivered goods.
What hours can a solicitor knock on doors in Pierce County?
PCC 5.10.110 makes it unlawful to peddle or solicit before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. without the specific prior consent of the prospective buyer.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pierce County

All Pierce County rules

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