City Enacts New Residential Solicitation Restrictions

Door-to-door sales, from youth sports groups to Girl Scouts, are not against the law as long as the individuals and/or groups follow city ordinances.  The City of Arlington enacted several new regulations on May 17 regarding these types of sales that residents and solicitors should know.

• Door-to-door solicitors must now display their city solicitation license and wear an orange safety vest at all times. City ordinance requires a license for anyone engaging in such sales.
• It is now an offense to solicit at a residence with a “No Solicitation” sign posted.  Such signs must be posted in a conspicuous place near the main entrance and be weatherproofed.  The sign itself must be three by four inches in size with the words “No Solicitation” in letters at least two-thirds of an inch in height.
• Door-to-door selling is prohibited before 9 a.m. at all times.  It is prohibited after 6 p.m. during Central Standard Time and after 7 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time.

Beyond what ordinances regulate, how do you know if you should or should not answer the door when a solicitor knocks?  The City of Arlington Police Department offers these tips:

• If you do not feel comfortable or want to answer the door, then don’t.  Tell the solicitor  you are not interested through the door.
• If you are unsure if a solicitor is legitimate, ask for identification verifying they are employed by the company they claim to work for.  If they do not have any identification, do not give them any money and tell them to leave.
• If a solicitor refuses to leave or becomes irate, shut the door. If they still do not leave, call 911.
• Do not let someone “guilt” you into giving them money or buying their product.
• Do not believe stories such as “I live in your neighborhood” or “My car is broken down just around the corner.”
• Never let anyone into your home.

It is important to listen to your gut feeling and do not do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.  When in doubt, always call 911.