Highland, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

HMC § 5.04.350 makes it unlawful to engage in the business of a solicitor in the City of Highland without first obtaining a license. The chapter separates two trades. Peddling is going house to house or along the streets selling and making immediate delivery of goods in the seller's possession. Soliciting is going house to house, place to place or along the street selling or taking orders for goods or other things of value for future delivery, or for services to be performed in the future. A sidewalk vendor operating in compliance with HMC § 5.04.375 falls outside both definitions.

The applicant files a sworn written application with the license collector. It asks for the applicant's name and description, permanent home address and full local address, a brief description of the business and goods, the employer's name and address with credentials establishing the relationship, the length of time the right to do business is desired, where the goods are manufactured, produced or located and the proposed method of delivery, and a statement on any conviction of a crime, misdemeanor or municipal violation. A fee to cover the cost of investigation is paid when the application is filed.

The original application goes to the chief of police, who investigates the applicant's business and moral character as he deems necessary for the protection of the public good. If the character or business responsibility is unsatisfactory, the chief endorses disapproval with reasons and no license issues. If it is satisfactory, the chief endorses approval and the license collector issues the license.

License fees are set by resolution. A license cannot be used by anyone other than the person it was issued to, runs from the first day of the month business commences to the last calendar day of the following 12-month period, and must be shown at the request of any citizen. The chief of police can revoke a license after notice and hearing for fraud or a false statement in the application, any violation of the section, conviction of a crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or soliciting in a way that breaches the peace or menaces public health, safety or welfare. Written notice of the hearing is mailed at least five days ahead. A denied or revoked solicitor can appeal to a city council appointed hearing officer within 14 days after notice is mailed, and the hearing officer's decision is final.