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

Chapter 6.28 of the La Mesa Municipal Code, Peddlers and Solicitors, defines a peddler, salesman or solicitor broadly in Section 6.28.010 as anyone who travels door to door, house to house or place to place taking orders for goods, merchandise or future services, whether or not a sample is carried and whether the work is paid or done for charity. Section 6.28.020 then bars initiating that kind of contact with any person in the city without a license issued under the chapter. Getting one is not automatic: Section 6.28.030 requires a sworn written application to the director of finance listing the applicant's name, local and permanent addresses, employer, a description of the goods or services, the length of time the license is sought for, a 2-inch by 2-inch photograph taken within the prior sixty days, fingerprints, and a statement of any criminal or ordinance convictions, along with an investigation fee set by city council resolution under Section 6.28.040.

Section 6.28.050 sends every application to the Chief of Police, who investigates the applicant's business and moral character, and Section 6.28.060 has the director of finance issue or deny the license based on that finding. Before the license issues, Section 6.28.090 requires a $1,000 surety bond approved by the city attorney, covering compliance with local and state law and any judgment for misrepresentation. A license can be revoked under Section 6.28.110 for fraud, false statements, breach of the peace, conduct endangering public health or safety, or a moral turpitude conviction, and Section 6.28.140 gives an aggrieved applicant fourteen days to file a written appeal with the city clerk for a city council hearing. Charitable organizations qualifying under Business and Professions Code Section 17510.2(d) are exempt under Section 6.28.150.