Johnston County Code (Chapter 16) regulates begging, panhandling and public solicitation. Section 16-6 requires a permit (issued without fee by the Sheriff of Johnston County or designee) before soliciting in road rights-of-way or on other public property. Permits are valid for one year. The permit requirement does not apply to solicitation on private property with the owner's permission. Door-to-door commercial solicitors must comply with the county's general business-licensing rules and respect 'No Soliciting' signs.
Johnston County Code §§ 16-4 and 16-6 (Public solicitation and begging regulated / Permit requirement to beg, solicit, or panhandle on public property) require any person begging, soliciting, or panhandling within road rights-of-way or on county public property to first obtain a valid permit from the Sheriff. The permit is issued without fee, is valid one year (or other date specified on the permit, or until revoked), and must be kept on the permittee's person and displayed at all times. The permit requirement does not apply when the solicitation occurs on private property with the property owner's permission. Door-to-door commercial sales in unincorporated Johnston County are also regulated under N.C.G.S. Ch. 66 (peddler licensing). Incorporated towns within Johnston County (Smithfield, Clayton, Selma, Benson, etc.) maintain their own solicitor ordinances. After-the-fact notice from a homeowner converts continued solicitation into trespass under N.C.G.S. § 14-159.13. Contact the Johnston County Sheriff at 919-989-5010 to verify a permit or report a violation.
Soliciting without a Sheriff-issued permit on public property, or continuing to solicit at a posted 'No Soliciting' property, is a county ordinance violation subject to fines under the county penalty schedule. State trespass charges (N.C.G.S. § 14-159.13) apply once a property owner has given notice.
See how Johnston County's solicitor permits rules stack up against other locations.
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