It is that time of year again when businesses start going door to door selling their products and/or services. The City of St. Charles would like to remind citizens and potential solicitors that there is a process that needs to be followed before any solicitation can begin.
There are two types of solicitation; charitable and profitable. If it is a charitable organization there is no fee; however, they still need to register with the City; if it is a profitable organization, there are fees that need to be paid during the registration process.
- Register with the City of St. Charles;
- Pay the application fee of $50.00 (commercial solicitation) paid at time of registration, the organization must wait for approval before soliciting may start;
- Solicitors are not to enter the property of any premise in the city that states “NO SOLICITORS INVITED.” Residents need to have a sign posted adjacent to their entrance;
- No person shall engage in solicitation prior to 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. of any day. No person shall engage in commercial solicitation at any time on a Sunday or any state/national holiday;
- No solicitation on any school property.
Prohibitions would be persons who have been convicted of a felony and persons convicted of sex offences. People with these convictions will not be granted a solicitors permit in the City of St. Charles.
As another reminder, if you approach a residence or business and are asked to leave, do so. Solicitors could receive a violation for the City’s solicitation ordinance.
Residents can call the St. Charles Police Department to verify if a solicitor is registered by calling 630.377.4435.