Solicitors/Peddlers (Door-to-Door Sales)

The City of Woodbury requires that any person engaging in door-to-door sales apply for a permit (peddlers) or registration (solicitors) from the city. The permit or certificate of registration must be received before business can be conducted in the city.

The fee for a peddlers permit is $35 per person. There is no fee to register as a solicitor. Permits and registration are valid for the current calendar year. Soliciting or peddling without a permit is a misdemeanor crime punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail.

Permit applications are available online and at the Public Safety Building at 2100 Radio Drive. Completed applications must be returned in person and a government-issued photo ID must be presented. The Public Safety Building is open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Solicitors and peddlers are allowed to operate between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Peddler
A person who goes from house-to-house, door-to-door, business-to-business, street-to-street, or any other type of place-to-place movement, for the purpose of offering for sale, displaying or exposing for sale, selling or attempting to sell, and delivering immediately upon sale, the goods, wares, products, merchandise, other personal property, or services that the person is carrying or otherwise transporting.

Solicitor
A person who goes from house-to-house, door-to-door, business-to-business, street-to-street, or any other type of place-to-place movement, for the purpose of obtaining or attempting to obtain orders for goods, wares, products, merchandise, other personal property, or services of which he or she may be carrying or transporting samples, or that may be described in a catalog or by other means, and for which delivery or performance shall occur at a later time.

Solicitor Application
City Ordinance (See Chapter 11, Article VI - Peddlers and Solicitors)

Report violators
Solicitors are required to display their permit at all times. While the city generally cannot prohibit people from trying to sell you something, you have the right to privacy. A solicitor may not remain on your property after you have asked him/her to leave. He/she may not conduct business in a manner that a reasonable person would find obscene, threatening, intimidating or abusive.

Any resident who wishes to exclude peddlers or solicitors from his/her premises may place a printed placard near the usual entrance bearing the following notice:

The sign must be at least 3 ¾ inches wide by 3 ¾ inches high. The lettering must be ½ inch high. No peddler or solicitor should enter or attempt to enter any premises where such a placard or sign is placed and maintained.

Residents may report violators by quickly calling the Police Department dispatch at (651) 439-9381, allowing an officer to respond immediately. Callers should be prepared to provide a physical description of the person, direction of travel, and/or vehicle information, if obtainable.

For additional information or if you have any questions, please contact the Police Department at (651) 714-3600 or send an e-mail to police@ci.woodbury.mn.us.