Sumter County, SC Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Sec. 26-2 requires anyone engaging in door-to-door sales or solicitation in the unincorporated county, for any product, material, magazine, newspaper, periodical or other item, to obtain an identification card from the county before starting. The card must show the solicitor's name, address and social security number, the employer's name and address if any, the type of items being sold, and an expiration date. It must bear the signature of the County Sheriff or a designee and of an official of the county business license department; the Sheriff can refuse to approve a card for someone who is not of good moral character, and the business license department can refuse a card to a person lacking a valid business license or who owes the county back license taxes.

A solicitor must display the card at all times while going door-to-door and permit any prospective customer or law enforcement officer to inspect it on request. A refused applicant can appeal to County Council in writing within ten days of the denial, stating the grounds, and the council's decision is final; the council can even direct the clerk to issue the card if it overrules the denial. Forging, altering, or displaying a card belonging to someone else or issued without county authorization is separately prohibited, and a fee set by County Council covers the card's issuance cost.