Soliciting & Door-to-Door in Massachusetts (2026)
27 rules on the books across Massachusetts, 19 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Solicitor Permits
Permits required for door-to-door salespeople and canvassers, including background check requirements and permitted hours of operation.
Massachusetts: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsMassachusetts requires hawkers and peddlers selling goods door-to-door to obtain a state license from the Division of…
Read full rule →Brockton
Significant RestrictionsAnyone canvassing door-to-door in Brockton for sales, donations or information must register with the Police Chief…
Read full rule →Lawrence
Significant RestrictionsAnyone canvassing or soliciting orders door-to-door in Lawrence must first get a permit and license from the licensing…
Read full rule →Leominster
Significant RestrictionsAnyone going house to house in Leominster taking orders for goods or services needs a police-issued solicitor's license…
Read full rule →New Bedford
Significant RestrictionsNew Bedford requires anyone conducting door-to-door sales to obtain a license from the city clerk under section…
Read full rule →Quincy
Significant RestrictionsQuincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) requires door-to-door solicitors and canvassers to obtain a Police Department…
Read full rule →Somerville
Significant RestrictionsAnyone canvassing house-to-house in Somerville without the resident's prior consent must register with the chief of…
Read full rule →Springfield
Significant RestrictionsSpringfield, MA requires anyone doing door-to-door sales to hold a Police Commissioner license, at $25, renewed…
Read full rule →Taunton
Significant RestrictionsAnyone soliciting money, goods, or services door to door or on Taunton streets needs a written license from the Chief…
Read full rule →Worcester
Significant RestrictionsAnyone going door-to-door in Worcester to sell goods or take orders needs a police-issued solicitor's license under…
Read full rule →Boston
Some RestrictionsAnyone peddling goods, wares or merchandise in Boston without a fixed store must get a City Clerk license as a…
Read full rule →Cambridge
Some RestrictionsBefore selling anything on a Cambridge sidewalk or public way, or leaving goods there more than ten minutes, a vendor…
Read full rule →Chelsea
Some RestrictionsAnyone soliciting sales, subscriptions or charitable donations door-to-door in Chelsea must first get a license from…
Read full rule →Fall River
Some RestrictionsDoor-to-door salespeople in Fall River must get a City permit from the Police Department before knocking, submitting…
Read full rule →Newton
Some RestrictionsNewton requires door-to-door solicitors and canvassers to register with the chief of police, pay a $5 annual fee, and…
Read full rule →Plymouth County
Some RestrictionsA door-to-door seller in Plymouth County is a hawker and pedler under MGL c.101 §13 and needs the state license, plus…
Read full rule →Revere
Some RestrictionsAnyone soliciting or canvassing house to house in Revere must register with the chief of police before knocking on a…
Read full rule →No-Knock Registry
Programs that let homeowners register to opt out of door-to-door solicitation, and the penalties for solicitors who ignore the list.
Somerville
Heavy RestrictionsSomerville honors posted no solicitation notices at residences. Solicitors must not enter properties with visible…
Read full rule →Boston
Some RestrictionsBoston residents may post no-soliciting signs to prevent unwanted commercial solicitation. Licensed solicitors are…
Read full rule →Bristol County
Some RestrictionsSeveral Bristol County municipalities maintain no-knock lists. Posted 'No Soliciting' signs must be honored by…
Read full rule →Cambridge
Some RestrictionsCambridge allows residents to post No Soliciting or No Trespassing signs that legally bar commercial solicitors…
Read full rule →Chelsea
Some RestrictionsChelsea bars door-to-door solicitation at any premises posted with a 'no solicitors' sign under Code of Ordinances…
Read full rule →Fall River
Some RestrictionsPosting a 'No Trespassing' or 'No Solicitation' sign in Fall River makes it illegal for any licensed salesperson to…
Read full rule →Lowell
Some RestrictionsLowell residents who post a No Soliciting or No Trespassing sign at their home can require door-to-door solicitors to…
Read full rule →Norfolk County
Some RestrictionsNorfolk County has no no-knock registry. Several member municipalities (Quincy, Brookline, Dedham, Weymouth) maintain…
Read full rule →Revere
Some RestrictionsRevere limits door-to-door soliciting to 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sundays, and requires…
Read full rule →Springfield
Some RestrictionsSpringfield maintains a no-knock or no-soliciting registry that residents can join. Solicitors who ignore posted signs…
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