Palm Desert, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Selling or soliciting orders in public places
- Annual permit fee
- $100, nonrefundable
- Fee covers
- Police department investigation and city processing
- Application items
- ID, employer credentials, photograph, fingerprints
- Charitable solicitation
- Separate certificate under Chapter 5.80
- Penalty
- Infraction under § 5.84.110
Summary
In the City of Palm Desert, California, any business that employs or contracts with individuals to sell or take orders for goods or services in public places must first obtain a city permit. The annual fee is $100, nonrefundable, and applicants submit identification, employer credentials, a photograph and fingerprints. Palm Desert Municipal Code §§ 5.84.120 and 5.84.130 govern.
No person, firm, corporation, association, club, partnership or any other organization, either employing or contracting with one or more individuals for commercially selling or offering for sale, or soliciting orders of any goods, wares, merchandise or other commercial services at wholesale or retail, will do so without first applying for and obtaining a permit from the city, to call upon public places within the city. The fee for an annual permit to solicit or peddle in public places shall be one hundred dollars to cover the cost of investigation by police department and processing by the city and is nonrefundable. The permit shall be in addition to any other license or permit fee required by the city. ... Applicants for a permit to solicit or peddle in public places in the city must furnish to the city and police department the following information: A. Applicant's name including his or her description, driver's license, date of birth and age; B. Applicant's home address, telephone number; C. Employer and credentials establishing the exact relationship of the applicant to the employer; D. A description of the goods and services offered;
Full Breakdown
Section 5.84.120 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code requires a permit from the city before any person, firm, corporation, association, club, partnership or other organization, either employing or contracting with one or more individuals for commercially selling or offering for sale, or soliciting orders of goods, wares, merchandise or other commercial services at wholesale or retail, calls upon public places within the city. The fee for the annual permit is $100. The code says the fee covers the cost of investigation by the police department and processing by the city, and it is nonrefundable. The solicitor permit is in addition to any other license or permit fee the city requires, so a business license is a separate obligation.
Section 5.84.130 lists what an applicant must furnish to the city and the police department: name, description, driver's license, date of birth and age; home address and telephone number; employer and credentials establishing the exact relationship of the applicant to the employer; a description of the goods and services offered; a recent two-inch by two-inch head-and-shoulders photograph; fingerprints scheduled with the police department; and a statement of any convictions for crimes or municipal ordinance violations, excluding traffic offenses, with the offense and the penalty assessed.
Charitable solicitation follows a different track in Chapter 5.80. Charities, trustees and commercial fundraisers register with the director, who decides whether to issue a certificate to solicit within ten days after the application is made (§ 5.80.040). An applicant refused a certificate, or whose certificate is revoked, can appeal to the city council by filing a verified written statement with the city clerk within ten days. Authorized solicitors are limited to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., cannot park or stand a vehicle on State Highway 111 within the city limits to solicit, and cannot solicit occupants of vehicles on any street or roadway (§ 5.80.080).
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 5.84 is an infraction in accordance with Chapter 1.12 under § 5.84.110, and the general penalty in § 1.12.010 sets a fine not exceeding $1,000 where no specific penalty is provided. Violating Chapter 5.80 on charitable solicitation is a misdemeanor under § 5.80.090. A charitable certificate can also be summarily revoked by the director or city council for fraud, for a violation of the chapter or for other causes listed in § 5.80.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do door-to-door sellers need a permit in Palm Desert?
How much is a Palm Desert solicitor permit?
What information does a Palm Desert peddler permit application require?
Is charitable solicitation covered by the same permit in Palm Desert?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Desert
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