San Leandro, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

San Leandro Municipal Code Title 4, Chapter 4-5, Article 2 (§4-5-200 et seq.) makes it unlawful for any person to engage in the business of peddler, solicitor, or itinerant merchant within the City without first obtaining a permit. Applicants must file a sworn application with the Finance Director; the application captures personal identification, criminal history, employer information, the nature of the goods or services offered, and the proposed locations and hours. The Finance Director investigates and may deny a permit under SLMC §4-5-225 (standards for issuance) based on falsification, certain prior convictions involving theft/violence/fraud, or operations that would endanger the public. Each approved permittee is issued an identification badge that must be displayed while soliciting. Religious, charitable, political, and noncommercial canvassing are protected by the First Amendment and Cal. Const. Art. I §2 and are exempt from permit requirements (though Hynes v. Mayor of Oradell, 425 U.S. 610 (1976) allows narrowly tailored notice rules). The 2022 application form is available through the city website.