Solicitor Application

Overview

Anyone who wishes to solicit or canvas for himself, for any other person, firm or corporation and travels from house to house, or from street to street, taking or attempting to lease or take orders for retail sale of goods, ware merchandise, services, including without limiting, the selling, distributing, exposing for sale or soliciting orders for magazines, books, periodicals or other articles of a commercial nature, the contracting of all house improvements, or for services to be performed in the future whether or not such individual has, carries or exposes for retail sale a sample of the subject of such sale or whether he is collecting advance payment on such retail sale must apply for a solicitor permit from the Police Department.

Download Solicitors Permit Application

Upon receipt of the application, the Chief of Police shall investigate the applicant’s reputation as to morals and integrity. After an investigation of the applicant’s morals and integrity, but within 7 business days of the filing of the applicant, the Chief of Police shall endorse on such application his approval or disapproval. Failure of the Police Chief to act on said permit within 7 business days of the applicant’s filing shall constitute approval. If disapproved, the applicant shall have the right of appeal to the Board of Selectmen in writing within 7 days of the denial by the Chief of Police.

Each solicitor license when issued contains the signature of the Chief of Police and shows the name, address, and photograph of the applicant, the date of issuance and the length of time the license is valid for, as well as the license number. Solicitors and canvassers when engaged in the business of soliciting or canvassing are required to display an identifying badge issued by the Police Department, by wearing the license on an outer garment. Each licensee is required to possess an individual license. Solicitors may only canvas between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M.

Each license issued is valid from the date of its issue until December 31st, unless revoked. A license may be renewed by the Chief of Police by applying in person and provide all information which is required to obtain an initial license.

The solicitor application may be downloaded at the top of this page.