Portage County, WI Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Sec. 2.14.1 makes it unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to arrange for anyone to go onto a private residence, apartment, or premises in the County of Portage to solicit occupants, canvass for orders for goods, wares, merchandise, or services, or offer or furnish goods or services to induce an order, without first applying for and receiving a solicitor's permit from the Portage County Clerk. Sec. 2.14.2 exempts newsboys, resident merchants and their employees taking orders for goods already held in stock locally, charitable solicitations by county residents, farmers or truck gardeners selling their own produce, court-ordered sales, and bona fide auctions.

An applicant must apply in writing to the Clerk, listing identifying information, employer details, prior residence and employment history, the goods or services offered, and a personal description, per Sec. 2.14.1's application requirements. Sec. 2.14.3 requires the Portage County Sheriff's Department to investigate the applicant's background and moral character, and bars issuing a permit until the applicant's fingerprints are on file with the Sheriff's Department. Under Sec. 2.14.4, the County Clerk issues the permit once satisfied of good moral character, each crew member needs a separate permit, the permit expires December 31 of the issuing year, and the fee is set by the Public Safety Committee of the County Board.

Sec. 2.14.7 requires the permit to be carried and shown to any law enforcement officer or prospective customer on demand, and Sec. 2.14.8 exempts solicitors in municipalities that already regulate solicitors under their own ordinance.