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Winston-Salem, NC Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License fee
$25.00 application fee
License term
One fiscal year
No-knock hours
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. (or sunset)
Exempt
Charitable, religious, political, newspaper canvassers
Penalty
Class 3 misdemeanor, up to $500

Summary

Winston-Salem requires commercial door-to-door solicitors to obtain a license and photo identification badge from the city revenue collector, pass a criminal background check, and pay a $25.00 application fee before going door to door.

Any commercial solicitor seeking to engage in door-to-door commercial solicitation either individually or together with or through additional individuals who are employed by or acting on behalf of said commercial solicitor must obtain a license and identification badge from the City revenue collector and pay the application fee as provided in this section before commencing any such solicitation.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 38-34, the Winston-Salem Door-to-Door Solicitation Ordinance, requires any commercial solicitor knocking on doors to sell goods or services, or drop off ad handbills, to first get a license and photo ID badge from the city revenue collector, pass a criminal background check, and pay a $25.00 fee. Licenses last one fiscal year. Solicitors must display the badge outside their clothing, cannot solicit before 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. (or sunset if earlier), and must honor posted no-solicitation signs. Charitable and religious canvassers skip the license but still follow the hours and signage rules.

Violations & Fines

Soliciting door to door without the required license and badge, or violating any part of § 38-34, is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4 with a fine up to $500.00; repeat violations disqualify an applicant from future licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do charity or church door-knockers need a Winston-Salem solicitor license?
No. Noncommercial and charitable canvassers are exempt from the license under § 38-34 but must still honor no-solicitation signs and follow the same knocking-hours limits as commercial solicitors.
What hours can a solicitor knock on doors in Winston-Salem?
Door-to-door solicitation is barred before 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., or after sunset if that comes first, under City Code § 38-34(m)(4).
Does posting a "no soliciting" sign stop door-to-door solicitors in Winston-Salem?
Yes. Under § 38-34(c), no solicitor may enter or remain on private property posted with a "no solicitation" or "no trespassing" sign near the entrance, commercial or noncommercial alike.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Winston-Salem

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsNo-Knock RegistrySome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Winston-Salem rules

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