Walnut Creek requires commercial solicitors to obtain a Peddler/Solicitor Permit under WCMC Chapter 5-6 with background check and $150-300 fee. Permitted hours: 9 AM to 7 PM only. No Trespassing and No Soliciting signs must be honored. Religious and political canvassing are First Amendment-protected and exempt from permit.
Walnut Creek Municipal Code Chapter 5-6 regulates commercial peddlers and solicitors. Door-to-door commercial sales representatives must: (1) apply to Walnut Creek Police Department for a Solicitor Permit, including Live Scan fingerprinting, background check, and $150-300 fee; (2) display permit badge visibly during all solicitation; (3) solicit only between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM; (4) respect all posted No Soliciting and No Trespassing signs — violation is separate trespass under Penal Code §602; (5) leave premises immediately upon request. Exempt from permit requirement (protected by First Amendment per Martin v. Struthers and Watchtower Bible v. Stratton): religious canvassing, political campaigning, non-commercial advocacy, and charitable fundraising by IRS 501(c)(3) organizations (though charities register separately with California AG's Registry of Charitable Trusts). Prohibited practices: high-pressure sales lasting over 15 minutes after request to leave, misrepresentation of affiliation, and soliciting at homes with posted No Soliciting signs. Federal Cooling-Off Rule (16 CFR Part 429) gives consumers 3 business days to cancel door-to-door sales over $25. Report suspicious solicitors to Walnut Creek Police non-emergency 925-943-5844.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek restricts RV, boat, and trailer parking in residential zones. These vehicles cannot be stored in front yards or on public streets for extended p...
Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek enforces the California Vehicle Code 22651(k) statewide 72-hour street parking limit. Downtown has metered parking and timed zones. Residential ...
Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek restricts overnight parking of commercial vehicles in residential zones. Vehicles with commercial plates exceeding specified weight or length li...
Walnut Creek, CA
Properties in Walnut Creek's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and State Responsibility Area — including the city's eastern hills near Mount Diablo and alo...
Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek is served by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), both of which enforce permanent statewide water...
Walnut Creek, CA
Noxious weeds on the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner's list — including yellow starthistle, artichoke thistle, and various broom species — must...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle solicitor permits.
See how Walnut Creek's solicitor permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.