What No Soliciting Signs Are for and How to Enforce Them

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Learn lawful tips for deterring salespeople & what to do if they knock
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Tired of salespeople coming up to your door and trying to sell you a product or asking for money? A “No Soliciting” sign may not stop them from knocking, but it could help you take legal action against the solicitor to ensure they don’t bother you again. Find out the meaning of “No Soliciting,” who qualifies as a solicitor, and your legal rights as a homeowner or business owner.

“No Soliciting” Meaning

A “No Soliciting” sign in front of someone’s property means they don’t want solicitors – people who sell things or ask for money – to disturb them. In most cities, these signs empower property owners to report solicitors who ignore them to the police. Religious groups and political candidates are usually exempt.

Section 1 of 5:

What does “No Soliciting” mean?

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    It’s meant to signal to salespeople that the homeowner or business owner doesn’t want to be disturbed. [1]
    • You can purchase a “No Soliciting” sign yourself or ask your local police department if they have one you can acquire for a donation fee.
    • Common places to display “No Soliciting” signs include the front lawn, front door, or front-facing window – all prominent locations where solicitors can’t help but see them.
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Section 2 of 5:

Do “No Soliciting” signs stop solicitors from knocking?

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  1. Step 1 Solicitors can still knock on a door with a “No Soliciting” sign.
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    However, if they do, as the property owner, you can ask them to leave and report them to your local police. If you have a “No Soliciting” sign and your name and address are on a no-knock registry, then the solicitor has violated the local ordinance against soliciting you. [2]
  2. 2
    Solicitors who ignore “No Soliciting” are fined in some cities. The local City Council may also opt to suspend their solicitor’s permit, meaning they will no longer be allowed to sell door-to-door in that jurisdiction.
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Section 3 of 5:

Who qualifies as a solicitor?

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  1. 1
    A solicitor walks door-to-door selling goods and services. They may take orders for food, publication or service subscriptions, household products, and other commercial or non-commercial items, providing they obtain a permit in the city where they’re working first. [3]
    • For example, a solicitor may come to your house and offer to paint your house, replace your roof, spray pesticides, or mow your lawn in exchange for payment. Even Girl Scouts selling cookies are considered solicitors! [4]
  2. 2
    People who ask for money for charities are also considered solicitors. They’re also some of the least-liked solicitors because of their aggressive panhandling tactics . Furthermore, Charity Watch says it’s risky to give money to street solicitors, as there’s no way to verify if they represent a real charity. [5]
  3. 3
    Religious groups and political canvassers don’t count as solicitors. As long as they don’t ask you for money, these individuals can come to your door and knock even if you have a “No Soliciting” sign. [6]
    • You can’t report religious groups (including Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses) or political canvassers as solicitors, but you can report them as trespassers if you don’t want them on your property.
  4. 4
    Passing out handbills is soliciting if it involves asking for money. A handbill is a pamphlet, brochure, or flyer that advertises or promotes goods, services, a business, or an event that requires an admission fee to enter. It may also have prices or a section to write in your credit card information. [7]
  5. 5
    Newspapers and magazines aren’t considered handbills. If you receive any that you didn’t sign up for or no longer want, contact the publisher or distributor and cancel your subscription.
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Section 4 of 5:

Is it legal to solicit?

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  1. 1
    Yes, soliciting is legal. Solicitors are protected by the First Amendment. The First Amendment guarantees citizens and businesses in the United States the Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and other protections. Going door-to-door to sell goods or ask for donations falls under those rights. [8]
  2. 2
    Solicitors must have a permit in some cities. The First Amendment doesn’t protect solicitors from city ordinances. Most cities in the US established ordinances that require solicitors to obtain solicitor’s or peddler’s permits. They impose other limitations, as well, such as restricting the hours they can solicit. [9]
  3. 3
    Soliciting is not the same as solicitation, which is a federal crime and a felony. Solicitation is when someone persuades, incentivizes, or commands someone to commit a crime. It’s important to distinguish this from soliciting, which is simply selling goods or services house to house. [10]
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Section 5 of 5:

How to Deter Salespeople from Soliciting You

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    Cities provide no-knock registries to track which property owners don’t want to be solicited. They also give this list to solicitors to ensure they know which houses not to visit. Check your city’s official website for a sign-up page or inquire at your local police department. [11]
  2. 2
    Politely tell them you’re not interested and ask them to leave. The solicitor may take the hint and move on to better prospects. Shut the door to avoid engaging in further conversation, as well, or they may think they can persuade you to listen to their sales pitch.
  3. 3
    Avoid answering the door when solicitors knock. The knocking and bell ringing may be annoying, but if you don’t answer the door, the solicitors will eventually walk away. They have other sales to try to make, and they won’t want to waste time hoping you’ll answer.
  4. 4
    Put up a “No Trespassing” sign instead. In most states in the US, private homeowners and businesses have the legal right to erect “No Trespassing” signs on their property. If anyone ignores the sign, including solicitors, the property owner can call the police to remove them. [12]
    • You can also press charges against trespassers, providing you can prove that they trespassed on your private property. Security camera footage can serve as evidence for your case.
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    It may feel rude, but remember that street solicitors can be very persuasive. They may even try to guilt-trip you into giving them money if you enter into a conversation with them. The best way to avoid that situation is to continue on your way without acknowledging them. [13]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cityofcarrollton.com/departments/departments-g-p/police/programs-resources/programs-and-services/no-solicitation-signs
      2. ↑ https://cms6.revize.com/revize/citytroymi/Departments/City%20Attorney/Code%20and%20Charter/Code%20Table%20of%20Contents/CH074.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.cityofirving.org/858/Door-to-Door-Sales
      4. ↑ https://www.newson6.com/story/5e3625e02f69d76f62048c53/girl-scouts-run-into-sales-bumps-with-residential-no-soliciting-signs
      5. ↑ https://www.charitywatch.org/charity-donating-articles/street-solicitations-promote-uninformed-giving
      6. ↑ https://www.aclupa.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/canvassing_faq.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.snohomishwa.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=87
      8. ↑ https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/door-to-door-solicitation/
      9. ↑ https://www.tml.org/DocumentCenter/View/212/Peddlers-and-Solicitors---2010-06-PDF
      1. ↑ https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1084-elements-solicitation
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/-suqpJZgA3w?si=TANezg7b6NJ--DXl
      3. ↑ https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/outdoorok/ooj/no-trespassing-tips-posting-property
      4. ↑ https://www.charitywatch.org/charity-donating-articles/street-solicitations-promote-uninformed-giving

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