Peddler / Solicitor / Transient Merchant

Definitions

  • Peddler - Person who goes door-to-door selling and immediately delivering goods or services.
  • Solicitor - Person who goes door-to-door obtaining or attempting to obtain orders for goods or services to be delivered at a later time.
  • Transient Merchant - Person or business engaging in temporary business from a fixed location not more than four consecutive days.

Licensing/Solicitor Registration 

Licensing/Solicitor Registration Process

Once a completed application has been received by City staff, background investigations will be conducted. The licensing process may take up to eight weeks.  

Please note: Beginning in 2023, there have been changes to the background investigation process for this license. Any applicant that has not been through and passed the background investigation process in the previous license term will be subject to the background investigation process for the current term which carries a $375 fee. These background investigations will be processed every other year per individual (meaning not based on the year, but when the individual passed the investigation last).  All new applicants (whether main applicant or supplemental applicant) will be subject to the background investigation process the first time they apply and every other year thereafter.

License/Solicitor Registration Term

Existing Solicitors, Peddlers, and Transient Merchants are licensed/registered quarterly as follows:

  • January through March
  • April through June
  • July through September
  • October through December

Any organization wishing to extend their registration/license must re-apply quarterly. 

Exceptions

Although the City does not require the following individuals or businesses listed below to be registered or licensed, the City kindly asks to be notified prior to conducting work to help minimize concerns from residents.

  • Persons who sell or peddle products from their personal farm or garden.
  • Anyone conducting the type of sale commonly known as garage sales, rummage sales, or estate sales.
  • Any Nonprofit, religious, political or educational organizations.
  • Commercial travelers or selling agents in the usual course of business.
  • Business conducted in conjunction of a city-sponsored event.

General Information

Hours of selling are 8 AM to 8 PM only. Peddlers / solicitors are restricted from premises that display "Peddlers and Solicitors Prohibited" signage. 

Each person involved in the business activity must carry an approved license from the City of Oakdale or certificate of registration at all times while conducting work in Oakdale.

City Code

View City Code on Peddlers, Solicitors, Transient Merchants (PDF)