Lower Paxton, PA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Section 137-2(A) of the Lower Paxton Township Code requires a valid license before anyone engages in soliciting or peddling in the Township. Soliciting means seeking or taking orders for future delivery, subscriptions or contributions, while peddling means selling goods or services for immediate delivery, in each case on streets or sidewalks, house to house, or on private property. The definitions expressly include financial services and damage or fire restoration services. Section 137-2(B) exempts farmers taking orders for their own products, manufacturers or producers taking orders for bread and bakery products, meat or milk products, sellers of donated goods for a charitable or philanthropic purpose, licensed insurance agents or brokers, groups that have complied with the 1935 Pennsylvania charitable solicitation act, and persons taking orders from dealers or merchants for resale.

Under § 137-3, the application goes to the Secretary of the Board of Supervisors or his designee on a blank provided by the Police Department, verified by oath or affirmation. It asks for the applicant's names and addresses, a contact number, employer, the goods or services offered, any criminal convictions, vehicle details and previous municipalities worked. The applicant must furnish a Pennsylvania criminal history check dated within 30 days. A license can be refused for a felony or for any crime involving theft, fraud, misappropriation of public trust or computer or electronic devices, and a denial can be appealed in writing to the Director of Public Safety within five days. Fingerprints and a photograph are required on request, each helper needs an individual license, and no license is transferable.

The fee is set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors and paid to the Township Secretary under § 137-4. A license runs 30 days, and advance licenses can be issued for consecutive thirty-day periods not exceeding two in number under § 137-5. The licensee must carry and prominently display the license and can sell only what it lists.