Dear Neighbors:
We have been informed that there has been an increase in the number of door-to-door solicitors in our neighborhood, and we would like to caution you to be careful and keep the following solicitation rules in mind:
All persons selling or soliciting contributions for charities must be licensed by the city. They MUST HAVE a city license IN ADDITION TO licenses or other approval issued by the county or state. There are three categories of people who may come door-to-door:
1) Those who are not selling anything or asking for donations (such as religious groups) — these do not need a license from the city.
2) Those soliciting contributions for charities – these MUST BE LICENSED, although there is no fee for the license, and it is valid only for 30 days.
3) Salesmen (alarm systems, siding, etc.) MUST HAVE A CITY LICENSE which has a fee and is valid for a year.
Those who are required to have a license are to have the license with them and produce it upon request (Pertinent parts of the city code on these rules are attached).
Please call the City’s Code Enforcement Office at 301-864-8877 to report any solicitors who should have a license but cannot produce it when asked to do so.
Public Services Director Bob Ryan also warns: “Please note that no one has to open their door to anyone. There have been thieves going door to door, testing to see if anyone is home or if the door is unlocked.”