Newark, NJ Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

City Code § 8:7-11 bars canvassing or soliciting without a written permit from the Chief of Police, and separately bars soliciting any address enrolled in the city's No-Knock Registry. To apply, § 8:7-12 requires a form filed with the Chief of Police disclosing the applicant's name, home address, three years of residence history, age, height, weight, birthplace, marital status, employer, a description of any uniform worn, the goods or services offered, any prior convictions for crimes, misdemeanors, or soliciting-ordinance violations, and the requested permit length.

Applications must be filed at least 14 days before the desired start date so the Chief can investigate under § 8:7-14, though the Chief may waive that lead time if the investigation can be finished sooner. A $500 fee is due at filing, payable per calendar year and not prorated. Section 8:7-13 requires fingerprinting by the Division of Police and two photographs. Under § 8:7-14 the Chief may refuse the permit if the applicant's character or business responsibility is unsatisfactory or the project is not free from fraud; if satisfied, the Chief issues a permit specifying the number of hours or days it runs.

A denial can be appealed in writing to the Director of Public Safety within 14 days, with the Director's decision final. on weekdays, and the permit must be worn on the lapel or a neck chain. Section 8:7-19 exempts regular delivery of goods and activity for labor, charitable, religious, civic or political organizations, and anyone already licensed under the charitable-solicitation article.