Warwick, RI Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License issuer
- Board of Public Safety
- Required recommendation
- Chief of Police, in writing
- License term
- 12 months
- ID card deposit
- $10.00, refundable
- Door-to-door curfew
- 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. banned
- License transfer fee
- $5.00
Summary
Warwick requires every hawker, peddler, transient merchant and door-to-door solicitor to hold a license from the Board of Public Safety before selling anything on city streets or going house to house. Approval needs the police chief's written recommendation, and licenses run for a 12-month term subject to board conditions.
(a) Except as hereinafter provided, all hawkers, peddlers, transient merchants and solicitors desiring to sell or offer for sale as hawkers, peddlers, transient merchants and solicitors any goods, wares, merchandise, ice cream, fruits or vegetables, or other articles or substances on any street or alley or in any temporary fixed place of business in the city shall first obtain a license therefor, to be issued by the board of public safety, and to that end shall make application to such board for such license therefor, respectfully, as may be desired. (b) Upon the recommendation or approval of the chief of police in writing, the board of public safety may issue a license, accordingly, to such person, firm or corporation, respectively, to sell the articles and substances hereinbefore mentioned in such manner as shall be specified in such license upon any streets in the city, or to hawkers, peddlers, transient merchants and solicitors authorizing them to sell or offer for sale as hawkers, peddlers, transient merchants and solicitors any articles or substances within the city for a period of 12 months from the date of such license.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 46-2 states the core rule: except where otherwise provided, all hawkers, peddlers, transient merchants and solicitors who want to sell goods, wares, merchandise, ice cream, fruits, vegetables or other articles on a street, alley, or temporary fixed location must first obtain a license from the board of public safety by application. Subsection (b) requires the chief of police to recommend or approve the application in writing before the board issues the license, which then runs for 12 months and can carry board-imposed conditions. Sec.
46-1 defines a "solicitor" as anyone asking for contributions door to door or on city streets for a charitable or religious organization, or selling magazine and similar subscriptions going place to place. Once licensed, Sec. 46-8 requires the person to wear a plastic identification card at least three by two inches at all times while working, issued against a $10 deposit that is refunded when the card is surrendered and the license revoked. Sec. m. The same section bars ringing a bell or knocking where a "No Peddlers or Solicitors" sign is posted, and requires disclosing the name of the company, product or organization represented on request. 00 fee under Sec. 46-6.
Violations & Fines
Failing to exhibit the license and ID card to a police officer on demand is treated as being unlicensed under Sec. 46-10. Sec. 46-11 makes any violation of the chapter punishable under the Code's general penalty section, 1-4, and additionally allows confiscation of the goods being sold along with the packs, vehicle, or other means used to transport or display them, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. Door-to-door canvassing between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. in a residential zone, or ignoring a posted "No Peddlers or Solicitors" sign, are separate violations under Sec. 46-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do charitable fundraisers need a solicitor license in Warwick?
Can solicitors knock on doors late at night in Warwick?
What if my house has a "No Soliciting" sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Warwick
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