Pico Rivera, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Section 5.08.310 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code bars any person from operating a business, profession, trade, or occupation listed in Title 5, including solicitors, without first obtaining a permit; the director of finance cannot issue a license or accept a fee from anyone lacking a valid permit. Section 5.08.330 lists solicitor among the enumerated businesses requiring a permit and sets a $5 application fee for both the initial permit and its annual renewal, which falls on the anniversary of issuance. Under § 5.08.360 the director of finance may issue solicitor permits directly, without a hearing, once law enforcement, health, or other investigating agencies clear the applicant and no protest is filed; otherwise the application goes to the permit hearing board under § 5.08.370, which may deny the permit if the business would violate zoning, create a nuisance, or if the applicant made a false statement or is otherwise unfit to be trusted with the privilege.

A firm that employs or contracts with multiple canvassers can instead obtain a principal solicitor's license under § 5.12.030 for $250 a year plus $5 for each individual solicitor covered, but each individual must still hold a permit and the firm must notify the director of finance in writing within five days of any personnel change. Solicitors working independently of a principal license instead pay the street-vendor-and-solicitor fee in § 5.12.190: $20 per day or $160 per year. Permits are not transferable except with council consent under § 5.08.380, and any license or permit may be revoked or suspended under § 5.08.390 for violating the Business License Law or for having been obtained on false or fraudulent evidence.