Rio Rancho, NM Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum age
- 18 years old
- Issuing authority
- City Clerk
- Application review
- 5 business days
- Max permit term
- One year
Summary
Rio Rancho requires anyone 18 or older who peddles or solicits in the city to get a City Clerk permit first, with narrow exemptions for organization-only or member-only appeals.
It shall be unlawful for any person 18 years of age or older to engage in peddling or soliciting within the city without first obtaining a permit issued by the Clerk; provided, however, that the following are exempted from the provisions of this chapter:
(A) Any solicitation made upon premises owned or occupied by an organization upon whose behalf the solicitation is made;
(B) Any communication by an organization soliciting contributions solely from persons who are members of the organization at the time of such solicitation;
(C) Any solicitation in the form of a collection at a regular meeting, assembly or service of a charitable organization; or
(D) Activities of a canvasser as defined in § 113.02, except for the hours and posting provisions set forth in §§ 113.13 and 113.14. (Ord. 06-66)
Full Breakdown
City Code § 113.03 makes it unlawful for any person 18 or older to peddle or solicit in Rio Rancho without a City Clerk permit. Applicants file a sworn application under § 113.05 covering identity, criminal history, and employer information, pay a fee, and are issued a badge that must be worn visibly while working. The Clerk may deny or revoke a permit for falsified applications, disqualifying convictions within the past seven years, or prior civil fraud judgments (§§ 113.08, 113.15). Exemptions cover solicitation on an organization's own premises, member-only fundraising communications, and collections taken at a charitable organization's regular meeting.
Violations & Fines
Peddling or soliciting without a City Clerk permit, or using another person's badge, violates Chapter 113 and is punishable under the general penalty provision at § 10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every door-to-door seller need a permit in Rio Rancho?
How long is a Rio Rancho peddler/solicitor permit valid?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rio Rancho
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