Code Enforcement Corner -- Reminders from the Code Enforcement Specialist
Peddling and Soliciting
Magazine subscriptions, a new roof, solar panels, just few of the many goods and services people peddle door to door.
Spring is a time when we frequently see an increase in peddling and soliciting.
It is important to know that the Town of Mount Airy Code requires a license to peddle and solicit:
§ 70-8Peddling and soliciting.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage within the corporate limits of the Town of Mount Airy in the business of a peddler or a solicitor without first obtaining a license as provided herein.
A Peddler or Solicitor is defined as:
PEDDLER or SOLICITOR
Includes any person who hawks, peddles, or vends or takes orders for any wares or merchandise or anything of value upon the streets of the Town or any person who goes from house to house to vend, sell or take orders for any wares or merchandise or anything of value, either by sample or otherwise. Door-to-door solicitation by or on behalf of political campaigns shall be considered peddling or soliciting for the purposes of this chapter only as to required observance of "no solicitation" signs or request.
No person shall hawk or peddle for sale any merchandise of any kind whatever upon the public streets, roads or alleys of Mount Airy, without a license for that purpose first had and obtained from the Mayor or, in his absence, from the Clerk, under Seal of the Corporation; and such license, when issued, shall always express the specific purpose or object for which it is granted and the space of time during which it is to continue.
.501(c)3 organizations, except that person going door to door for a 501(c)3 organization shall observe the provisions with respect to "no solicitation" signs and/or requests.
Political campaigns, except that persons going door to door for a political campaign shall observe the provisions with respect to "no solicitation" signs and/or requests.
If a peddler comes to your door or approaches you make sure to ask them for their license. If they cannot provide one, do not do business with them and report them immediately. While some may be legitimate, many are not.
You can report someone peddling without a license to the Town Code Enforcement Specialists or if this occurs during evenings or weekends, you can call the Mount Airy Police Department non-emergency number at 410-386-2860. This way a police officer will be dispatched to your neighborhood to identify the subjects and can issue citations if warranted.
No Soliciting Stickers to place on your front doors or windows can be obtained from Town Hall.
Let’s all work together to prevent illegal peddling and soliciting in our neighborhoods.
Voluntary compliance is our goal, and your cooperation is essential.