West New York, NJ Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Article I of Chapter 284, adopted 10-5-1977 as Ord. No. 1255, states its purpose in § 284-1: registration lets the Town establish the identity of persons going door to door or distributing materials and prevent dishonest business practices and dishonest solicitation of funds. Under § 284-2 a solicitor is anyone, resident or not, who goes from house to house, place to place or street to street taking or attempting to take orders for merchandise or services, and the definition includes canvassers and anyone collecting funds from a stationary location on a street or public place.

A certificate holder must carry the certificate at all times during the activity and show it to any person or police officer on request. Certificates expire December 31 of the calendar year they are issued, cannot be transferred, and no more than 22 can be issued in a calendar year or outstanding at one time (§ 284-4).

Section 284-5 requires a sworn application filed with the Department of Health, with a photograph measuring two inches by two inches taken within 60 days, two Hudson County business references, a statement of any convictions, and fingerprints. Under § 284-6 the Commissioner of Public Safety investigates within five days and can disapprove only on five findings: a crime involving moral turpitude, a prior violation of a peddling or soliciting ordinance, previous fraudulent acts, a record of breaches of solicited contracts, or evidence of bad character or bad faith in dealing with the public. The Board of Commissioners then approves or disapproves by majority vote and issues the certificate on payment of the fee, which is set in Chapter 186, Article II, under § 186-10AA. Each agent of an organization registers and pays separately.

Section 284-9 requires a $1,000 bond filed with the Town Clerk before issuance, though the Board can exempt an applicant by resolution. A denied applicant has 14 days from the mailing of notice to appeal to the Board, whose decision is final and conclusive (§ 284-10).