Petaluma, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- PMC § 6.32.050
- Application authority
- Chief of police, § 6.32.060
- Investigation window
- 10 days, includes fingerprinting
- Permit duration
- 120 days from issuance
- Appeal deadline
- 14 days to city council
Summary
Anyone going door to door or street to street in Petaluma to sell goods or take orders must first get a permit from the police department under Petaluma Municipal Code Section 6.32.050. The chief of police investigates the applicant's background, including fingerprinting, before a permit issues, and can suspend or revoke it for fraud, a felony conviction, or conducting business in a way that breaches the peace.
6.32.050 Permit required. It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of a peddler or solicitor within the corporate limits of the city without first applying for and obtaining a permit as provided by Sections 6.32.050 through 6.32.130. ... 6.32.070 Investigation. Upon receipt of the application mentioned in Section 6.32.060, the original shall be retained by the chief of police, who shall cause such investigation of the applicant’s business and moral character to be made as he deems necessary for the protection of the public good; provided, however, that the investigation shall be completed within ten days after receipt of the application. As a part of the investigation, the applicant shall submit to his fingerprints being taken.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2931 NCS, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
130. 060, the applicant files a sworn written application in duplicate with the chief of police giving their name and address, a description of the business and goods sold, their employer if any, at least two character references, and a statement disclosing any prior criminal or municipal-ordinance convictions. 070 requires the chief of police to complete a background investigation, including taking the applicant's fingerprints, within ten days of receiving the application, and to endorse a written disapproval with reasons if the applicant's character or business responsibility is found unsatisfactory.
040. 090 requires peddlers and solicitors to exhibit the permit to any citizen who asks and to any police officer. 130, and the council's decision on appeal is final.
Violations & Fines
Operating as a peddler or solicitor without a permit is a violation of Section 6.32.050. The chief of police may suspend an issued permit under Section 6.32.100 for fraud or misrepresentation in the application, any violation of Chapter 6.32, conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude, or conducting the business unlawfully or in a manner constituting a breach of the peace or a menace to public health, safety or welfare. A suspended permit automatically converts to a revocation after five days under Section 6.32.110 unless the holder requests a hearing before the city manager, whose decision may itself be appealed to the city council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to go door to door selling in Petaluma?
What does the Petaluma police background check for a peddler permit involve?
How long does a Petaluma peddler or solicitor permit last?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Petaluma
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