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

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

Key Facts

Permit required
Marin County Code § 5.04.010
Investigation fee
$5.80 (§ 5.04.040)
Permit validity
Expires automatically after 1 year
Evening curfew
No uninvited calls after 6 p.m. (§ 5.04.115)
Enforced by
County Sheriff (§ 5.04.090)
Penalty
Misdemeanor (§ 5.04.120)
Appeal window
14 days to Board of Supervisors (§ 5.04.070)

Summary

Anyone going door to door in unincorporated Marin County to sell goods or take orders must get a solicitor's permit from the county clerk before knocking on a single door, per Marin County Code § 5.04.010. The sheriff investigates each applicant for a $5.80 fee, and the permit expires automatically after one year under § 5.04.040.

City-specific rules exist: San Rafael has its own solicitor permits rules that differ from Marin County's county-level regulations. If you live in San Rafael, check the city-specific page instead.

It is unlawful for any solicitor or canvasser, as defined in Section 5.04.020, to engage in such business within the unincorporated territory of the county without first obtaining a solicitor's permit therefor in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. ... Immediately upon receipt of application by the sheriff, and upon the payment of a fee of five dollars and eighty cents, the sheriff shall investigate the application and the applicant to determine whether the applicant's character and business responsibility are good. ... All permits issued under the terms of this chapter shall automatically expire one year from the date of issuance.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 2026 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

04 (Solicitors and Canvassers) makes it unlawful to solicit or canvass in the unincorporated territory without a permit. 030 giving their name, home and local address, employer, description of goods, fingerprints or three character references, and any criminal history. 070, filed within 14 days). 080), and expire automatically one year after issuance. 060). 100. without an invitation from the occupant. 110).

Violations & Fines

Soliciting or canvassing in unincorporated Marin County without a permit, misrepresenting facts on the application, or going door to door after 6:00 p.m. without an invitation is a misdemeanor under § 5.04.120, punishable per § 1.04.270. The Board of Supervisors can also revoke an issued permit after notice and hearing under § 5.04.060, and the sheriff can demand proof of a valid permit from any solicitor on the spot under § 5.04.090.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to sell door-to-door in unincorporated Marin County?
Yes. Marin County Code § 5.04.010 makes it unlawful for any solicitor or canvasser to engage in that business in the unincorporated territory without first obtaining a solicitor's permit from the county clerk. The process requires a sheriff's background investigation and a $5.80 fee, and the permit automatically expires one year after issuance under § 5.04.040.
Is there a curfew for door-to-door sales?
Yes. Under § 5.04.115, going onto private residences to solicit sales after 6 p.m. without an invitation from the occupant is declared a nuisance, and doing so is itself a violation of Chapter 5.04. Solicitors and canvassers must stop knocking on doors once evening arrives unless the resident has invited them.
Who is exempt from the solicitor's permit requirement?
Section 5.04.020 exempts salespeople selling to retail dealers for resale, manufacturers, public works bidders, anyone with a fixed place of business in the county, employees of county residents or county businesses, and out-of-county charities that show the county clerk proof of tax-exempt status. Exempt people may still request a $1 certificate of exemption under § 5.04.100.
What happens if a solicitor violates the permit rules?
Violating any provision of Chapter 5.04, including soliciting without a permit or misrepresenting facts on the application, is a misdemeanor under § 5.04.120, punishable under § 1.04.270. The Board of Supervisors can also revoke an issued permit after notice and hearing under § 5.04.060 for fraud, unlawful conduct, or a crime involving moral turpitude.

Sources & Official References

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All Marin County rules

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Solicitor Permits in Cities Across Marin County

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