1. Amendments to:
“Solicitors, Charitable Solicitors,
Itinerant Vendors, Handbill
Distributors” Regulations
College Station City Council
March 27, 2014

2. APRIL 2013
RESIDENT COMPLAINTS RE:
UNWANTED/ AGGRESSIVE DOOR-TO-DOOR SOLICITORS
CSPD Statistics for Solicitation Calls
2011 = 338 Calls for service
2012 = 291 Calls for service
2013 = 354 Calls for service

3. Home Solicitations
Defined
“Home Solicitation” means the business of soliciting,
selling, or taking orders for goods or services or
distributing commercial printed matter on residential
premises

4. Home Solicitations Chapter 4-1
Proposed Amendments
Objectives:
1. Prohibit during certain times to protect citizens
privacy and security of their homes
2. Regulate locations to promote safety and minimize
congestion.
3. Regulate solicitation manner to protect citizens
from aggressive and intimidating practices.
4. Require home solicitors to register with the City and
wear City-issued badge while soliciting

5. Home Solicitations Chapter 4-1
Proposed Amendments
Prohibitions:
1. It is unlawful for a person 14 years of age or older to solicit at
a residence, unless requested, without first registering with the
city and obtaining an identification badge
2. No residential solicitation before 9:00a.m. or 30 minutes after
sunset Monday through Sunday, or at any time on a federally
observed holiday
3. No residential solicitation where “No Solicitation” signage is
provided at or near the primary entrance
4. Solicitation only allowed at the primary entrance to a
residence.

6. Home Solicitations Chapter 4-1
Proposed Amendments
Defenses:
1. Educational Solicitations at invitation of the
property owner or occupant
2. Political solicitations
3. Newspaper sales -owner/occupant request
4. Charitable
5. Religious

7. Home Solicitations Chapter 4-1
Proposed Amendments
Defenses:
6. Before taking any enforcement action under this
section, a police officer or code compliance officer
must ask the reason for the person being on the
premises and consider whether a defense applies.
7. A violator may be fined up to $500

8. Home Solicitations Chapter 4-1
Proposed Amendments
Certificate of Registration:
If applicant is a company, application must
include:
1. Name, address, and telephone number of the
company and its officers.
2. Date and place of establishment of the business.
3. Name, address, and telephone number of each
solicitor working for the applicant.

9. 4. Description of the goods or services solicited.
5. Dates, times, locations, and methods
of solicitations.
6. Applicant’s criminal history and authorization
for city to obtain a criminal history report.
7. Proof of any required licenses or permits
to operate the business.
Home Solicitors (Possible Amendments
– Cont.)
Certificate of Registration:

10. Home Solicitors (Cont.)
Certificate of registration
If the applicant is an individual, application
must include:
1. Applicant’s name, address, telephone number, date
of birth, and driver’s license (or ID card) number.
2. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of
applicant’s employers, employees, and agents.
3. Current photograph of applicant.

11. 4. Names of other communities where applicant
has worked as a home solicitor.
5. Description of the goods or services solicited.
6. Dates, times, locations, and methods
of solicitations.
7. Applicant’s criminal history and authorization
for city to obtain a criminal history report.
8. Proof of any required licenses or permits
to operate the business.
Home Solicitors (Cont.)
Certificate of registration:

12. Home Solicitors (Cont.)
Certificate of Registration Fees
1. Nonrefundable registration fee will be charged - $50
(Concurrent renewal $25)
2. Certificate of registration expires 30 days; is non-
transferable.
3. Must notify City of any material changes in initial
registration information: changes in Registrant’s
employer, employees, or agents.
4. Certificate of registration must be issued within 3
business days after application unless applicant:

13. 1. Provided false information.
2. Was convicted of homicide, kidnapping,
specified sexual offenses, specified assaults,
robbery, burglary, or theft or fraud committed
while soliciting and less than two years for a
Misdemeanor (or five years for a felony)
have elapsed since the conviction or release
from confinement.
3. Failed to meet other specified qualifications.
Home Solicitors (Cont.)
Certificate of Registration Denial

14. Home Solicitors (Cont.)
Aggressive Solicitation
1. Making any contact or touching a person during solicitation
2. Approaching or following a person in an intimidating manner
3. Continued solicitation after a negative response
4. Blocking the safe or free passage of a person being solicited
5. Using obscene or abusive language toward the solicited person

15. Home Solicitors (Cont.)
Solicitation Prohibited
1. In an aggressive manner in a public area
2. In a bus or at a bus stop
3. Within 25 feet of the following areas where the public may be vulnerable
a. automated teller machine
b. entrance or exit of a bank
c. entrance or exit of a check cashing business
d. entrance or exit of a credit access business
e. self-service car wash or fuel pump
f. parking meter or parking pay station
g. a public parking garage
h. a marked crosswalk
i. entrance or exit of a restaurant or patio area of a bar