Santa Maria, CA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

3124 sets the license tax for anyone engaged in soliciting or canvassing, or taking orders house to house or place to place, whether individually, as a partnership member, or as an agent or employee: $20 per day, $80 per month, $160 per quarter, or $500 per year. Beyond the fee, subsection (b) requires each applicant to deposit a written statement appointing the Director of Finance as the applicant's agent for service of process on any legal matters connected with the applicant's business in the City, and the Director of Finance must notify the applicant by registered mail of any action brought against them where process is served on the Director.

Subsection (c) requires every applicant to submit to fingerprinting and an identification record made by the Police Department before receiving a license; the Police Department keeps the fingerprint file and must approve the license following a records check, though if the Department issues no report within 45 days of fingerprinting, the license is deemed approved. That fingerprint requirement does not apply to solicitors representing a business already licensed at a fixed place of business in the City, provided that business files a certified list of its solicitors' names and addresses with the Director of Finance and agrees any listed person will submit to identification procedures on request from the Director of Finance or Police Chief, or stop soliciting in the City if they refuse.

Separately, Chapter 4-14 makes it unlawful for any peddler or solicitor to knock or ring a bell at a residence displaying a "No Peddlers," "No Solicitors," or similarly worded sign, or to attempt to gain admittance despite the posted sign.