Rock Hill, SC Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Rock Hill City Code Sec. 11-191 declares that "all traveling salesmen or commercial travelers selling by retail to consumers shall be considered as peddlers, and licensed accordingly." That license is the city's general business license issued under Article II of Chapter 11: Sec. 11-31 requires anyone engaged in a business, calling or activity for gain within city limits to obtain an annual license before operating, and a new business must have the license in hand before starting work at all. Sec. 11-38 goes further for peddlers specifically: a transient or non-resident licensee must carry the license on their person or in the vehicle used for the business, ready to show any city agent on demand, rather than displaying it at a fixed address.

Sec. 11-192 adds a separate restriction that applies whether or not the seller is licensed: it is unlawful to enter the premises or dwelling house of another person to take or solicit orders for goods, wares, merchandise, newspapers, magazines, periodicals, fruit trees, groceries or notions, or to enlarge pictures. The prohibition does not reach a salesperson entering a legitimate mercantile or business establishment to make a sale there. This part of the Code of Ordinances was published in 2014; confirm current license fees and forms with the city's Revenue Division before applying.