Solicitors and Canvassers

Permit required

A solicitor's permit is required for any individual acting as a door-to-door commercial solicitor.  This is defined as any individual attempting to make personal contact with any person at a residence, without prior invitation by or appointment with the resident, for the primary purpose of:

• Attempting to sell, for present or future delivery, any goods, wares, or merchandise, or any services to be performed immediately or in the future, whether or not the person has, carries or exposes a sample of such goods, wares or merchandise, and whether or not he is collecting advance payments for such sales and services;
• Seeking or attempting to obtain contributions of money or any other thing of value for the benefit of any association, organization, corporation, or program, excluding those defined under door-to-door non-commercial solicitation; or
• Personally delivering to the resident a handbill or flyer advertising a commercial event, activity, good, or service that is offered to the resident for purchase at a location away from the residence or at a future time.

Permits are not required for door-to-door non-commercial solicitation:

• Seeking or asking for a gift or donation for a public entity or nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. 501(c);
• Soliciting the sale of goods, wares, or merchandise for present or future delivery, or the sale of services to be performed immediately or in the future, with the entire proceeds of such sale to be paid directly to, or used exclusively for the benefit of, a public entity or nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. 501(c);
• Personally delivering to the resident a handbill or flyer advertising a future not-for-profit event, activity, good or service;
• Distribution of religious tracts and information on behalf of a religious organization;
• Door-to-door soliciting and pamphleteering as a vehicle for the dissemination of ideas, or views or opinions by one engaged in political activities as a candidate or on behalf of a candidate in a recognized federal, state or local election, or on behalf of an issue on an upcoming ballot; or
• Attempting to sell or deliver newspapers, magazines, or newspaper magazine subscriptions

Download a Solicitor or Canvasser Application - Must be submitted in person to the Monticello Police Department prior to solicitation or canvassing.

Prohibited Solicitation

• Residential properties registered with the City's "No Knock" Registry for door-to-door commercial solicitation
• Properties which prominently display a notice stating "No Commercial Solicitors" or "No Commercial Solicitation" on or near the main entrance or door to any dwelling unit in the residence. 
• Solicitors may not return to the property after being asked to leave

Who is not a Solicitor?

• Minors under the age of 18 who solicit for fundraising activities; e.g. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, students selling high school-sponsored items
• Politicians, candidates and religious groups

Residential "No Knock" List

Effective immediately, and enforced by Ordinance 2018-22 of the City of Monticello Municipal Code, residents within City limits may add their address to the "No Knock" list to deter solicitation and canvassing at their address.

Any soliciting or canvassing at these addresses will result in a potential fine of not more than $750 for each offense.