San Bernardino County, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License authority
- Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
- Vetting
- Sheriff and EHS investigation, fingerprints
- License term
- One year
- Key exemptions
- Fixed business, farm products, veterans
Summary
Door-to-door peddlers and solicitors need a County-issued license before working the unincorporated area, with the Sheriff vetting every applicant.
Except as provided in §§ 41.0506 and 41.0507, it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of peddling goods, wares, merchandise, fruits and vegetables or prepared/prepackaged foods, including, but not limited to: ice cream; or of soliciting orders for goods or services; or of offering services for repair or improvement of real property; or of soliciting donations for charity in an open public place or door to door within the unincorporated area of the County of San Bernardino without first having secured a peddling or soliciting license.
Full Breakdown
County Code Ch. 4-5 requires anyone peddling goods or soliciting orders, donations, or repair/improvement services door to door in unincorporated San Bernardino County to hold a peddling or soliciting license first. The Clerk of the Board issues licenses only after the Sheriff (and EHS, for food) investigates the applicant, fingerprints are on file, and no disqualifying conviction (moral turpitude, fraud, burglary, theft, or a Penal Code § 290 registrable offense) turns up within the past five years. Fixed-place businesses, farmers selling their own produce, seasonal Christmas tree/pumpkin sellers, veterans, and qualifying tax-exempt nonprofits are exempt from some or all of the fee and license requirement.
Violations & Fines
Peddling or soliciting without the required license is unlawful; unauthorized hawking goods can be seized by the Sheriff, Code Enforcement, or EHS and forfeited to the County after a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do door-to-door sellers need a permit in unincorporated San Bernardino County?
Who is exempt from the license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California soliciting & door-to-door overview
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