Takoma Park requires door-to-door solicitors and peddlers to obtain a permit under Chapter 11.08 of the Municipal Code. Permitted solicitors must carry their permit badge visibly while canvassing. Religious, political, and nonprofit solicitation is exempt from the permit requirement but must still respect no-solicitation signage.
Chapter 11.08 (Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants) requires commercial solicitors and peddlers to apply for a permit through the City Clerk before conducting door-to-door sales or canvassing within Takoma Park. The application requires identification, a description of goods or services offered, employer information, and a background check consent. Permits are issued for a defined period, typically 30 to 90 days. Solicitors must carry and display their city-issued permit badge while canvassing and must present it upon request to any resident or police officer. Solicitation hours are restricted to 9 AM to 9 PM. Solicitors of all types, including permitted commercial and exempt nonprofit solicitors, must respect posted no-solicitation signs. First Amendment-protected activities such as political canvassing, religious evangelism, and nonprofit fundraising are exempt from the permit requirement but remain subject to time-of-day restrictions and no-solicitation sign rules.
Soliciting without a required permit is a municipal infraction carrying fines up to $500 per occurrence. Ignoring a posted no-solicitation sign may result in a trespass warning. Repeated violations may lead to a criminal trespass charge.
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