Royal Oak Township, MI Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Chapter 18, Article I of the Charter Township of Royal Oak Code requires a license for solicitation. Section 18-1 defines it broadly: traveling by foot, wagon, automotive vehicle or other conveyance, from place to place, house to house or street to street, taking or attempting to take orders for goods, merchandise or personal property, or attempting to collect monies, pledges or donations for charitable or religious causes or for services. It reaches those who call themselves transient merchants, canvassers and peddlers, and it includes canvassing or petitioning for a public office, official, candidate or election.

Process. Under § 18-2, no license is granted without prior approval by the Township Clerk, and all licenses expire 30 days after approval unless renewed by the Clerk. The application is obtained at the Township offices during normal business hours and must be filed at least five days before the solicitation (§ 18-3). It asks for each solicitor's name and description, a driver's license number or other personal identification, permanent and local addresses, the length of time, where the goods are produced and the method of delivery, and approximate locations in the Township. Each solicitor supplies a head-and-shoulders photograph taken no more than 60 days before filing, plus a statement of convictions in the past seven years involving violent crime, theft, burglary, breaking and entering, fraud or solicitation.

The Township issues a solicitor authorization document to each person soliciting. It must be displayed at all times and shown to any resident requesting identification before any attempt to sell. A denial must be in writing, with reasons, within three days of filing, and an appeal goes to the Township Board, which decides within 21 days of filing. The fee is nonrefundable, charged per solicitor, and set by Township Board resolution (§ 18-5). Under § 18-6(i), no license goes to anyone owing real or personal property taxes or other indebtedness to the Township.

Exemptions (§ 18-4). A person soliciting within 1/2 mile of their residence under the direct supervision of a school or a state or federally registered or recognized charitable, nonprofit or religious organization needs no registration, license or fee. Farther than 1/2 mile, that person registers in writing with the Township Clerk, with no license fee. Political canvassing needs no registration, license or fee. Every exempt solicitor still follows § 18-6.