The City of Scranton requires a Peddler License before any commercial door-to-door sales, street vending, or event peddling. Chapter 340 of the City Code was originally adopted in 1979 and updated by Ordinance No. 33-2013 on July 18, 2013, which added Article IV (Event Licenses) allowing one license to cover multiple peddlers at a single event. Applications go through the Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits via the OpenGov portal. Three forms are available: Door-to-Door, Regular, and 1-to-4 Events Only.
Chapter 340 (Peddling and Soliciting) of the City Code (eCode360 11606316) was adopted by the City Council 9-26-1979 as Chapter 25 of the 1979 Code and amended 7-18-2013 by Ordinance No. 33-2013, which added Article IV (Event Licenses). The Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits (LIPS) administers the program through the OpenGov online portal (scrantonpa.viewpointcloud.com). Three peddler forms are offered: (1) Peddler License - Regular; (2) Peddler License - Door-to-Door Sales; and (3) Peddler License - 1 to 4 Events Only. The Article IV Event License covers multiple peddlers at a single event (festival, parade, carnival) and is temporary in nature - it is not an annual permit. Where an event organizer does not procure an Event License, each individual peddler must hold a separate peddler license. Section 317-7(A)(8) of the noise chapter independently restricts street sales by shouting or outcry to 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Door-to-door religious, political and charitable canvassers are NOT required to hold a Scranton peddler license: the U.S. Supreme Court in Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York v. Village of Stratton, 536 U.S. 150 (2002), struck down a permit-required regime for noncommercial canvassing as a violation of the First Amendment. Noncommercial canvassers must still observe posted 'No Solicitation' signs - ignoring such a sign can support a criminal trespass charge under 18 Pa.C.S. Section 3503 (defiant trespasser - summary offense). The Code Enforcement Office may be reached at (570) 348-4100; LIPS handles the application review.
Chapter 340 violations are prosecuted under the general Scranton penalty schedule for Code violations - typically a summary offense in front of the Magisterial District Judge, with fines up to $1,000 under 53 P.S. Section 35201 (penalties for city ordinance violations in second-class A cities) plus court costs. Ignoring a 'No Solicitation' sign can additionally support a defiant-trespasser charge under 18 Pa.C.S. Section 3503(b) - summary offense, up to $300 and 90 days, or third-degree misdemeanor (up to $2,500 and 1 year) where the actor refuses to leave after request. Repeat violations can result in license revocation by LIPS.
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