San Mateo County, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- SMC Sheriff's Office
- Background Check
- Live Scan fingerprint
- Badge
- Must display visibly
- Hours
- 9 AM to 8 PM / sunset
- Exempt
- Religious, political
Summary
Unincorporated San Mateo County requires commercial peddlers and solicitors to obtain a Peddler/Solicitor License from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, including a fingerprint-based background check and photo ID badge. Licensed solicitors may operate 9 AM to sunset (or 8 PM, whichever is earlier), must display the County-issued badge visibly, and may not solicit at any address with a posted 'No Soliciting' sign. Religious, political, and charitable canvassing are exempt under First Amendment protections.
602. Except as provided in subdivisions (u), (v), and (x), and Section 602.8, a person who willfully commits a trespass by any of the following acts is guilty of a misdemeanor: (a) Cutting down, destroying, or injuring any kind of wood or timber standing or growing upon the lands of another. (b) Carrying away any kind of wood or timber lying on those lands. (c) Maliciously injuring or severing from the freehold of another anything attached to it, or its produce. (d) Digging, taking, or carrying away from a lot situated within the limits of an incorporated city, without the license of the owner or legal occupant, any earth, soil, or stone. (e) Digging, taking, or carrying away from land in a
Full Breakdown
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office administers the Peddler/Solicitor License program for unincorporated areas under County Code Title 3 (Public Safety). Applicants must submit fingerprints (Live Scan), pay fees, and pass a background check (convictions for fraud, theft, or violent crimes can result in denial). Upon approval, the Sheriff issues a photo ID badge that must be worn visibly on the outermost layer of clothing during all solicitation. Permitted hours are 9 AM to sunset or 8 PM (whichever is earlier). Prohibited: soliciting at residences with posted No Soliciting signs, entering gated properties without invitation, aggressive behavior, misrepresenting the goods/services, and operating with expired/suspended license. Religious solicitation (per Watchtower v. Stratton, 536 U.S. 150) and political canvassing are fully exempt from permit requirements under the First Amendment. Charitable door-to-door fundraising by registered 501(c)(3) organizations is also generally exempt but may require Secretary of State registration per Gov Code §12585.
Violations & Fines
Solicit without license: misdemeanor citation under County Code, $100-$500 fine. Ignoring No Soliciting sign: $50-$250 infraction. Failure to display badge: $50-$200 infraction. Fraud/misrepresentation: license revocation plus potential criminal charges under Penal Code §484/532.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report an unlicensed solicitor in my neighborhood?
Do Girl Scouts and religious groups need permits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California soliciting & door-to-door overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.