Door-to-Door Solicitation Definitions

City of Warren Ordinance 1603, Section 302, states that it will be unlawful for any person to engage in peddling or solicitation activities within the City of Warren without first obtaining a permit issued by the City of Warren; provided, however, that the following are exempted from the provisions of this section:

  1. Any solicitation made upon premises owned or occupied by an organization upon whose behalf the solicitation is made.
  2. Any communication by an organization soliciting contributions solely from persons who are members of the organization at the time of such solicitation.
  3. Any solicitation for the benefit of a charitable, registered nonprofit organization.

1603 Section 301 provides definitions for the following:

  • Charitable – Includes the words patriotic, philanthropic, religious, social service, health, welfare, benevolent, educational, civic, cultural or fraternal, either actual or purported.
  • Contributions – Includes the words alms, money, subscription, property or any donations under the guise of a loan or money or property.  
  • Peddler – Any person who goes upon the premises of any private residence in the City, not having been invited by the occupant thereof, carrying or transporting goods, wares, merchandise or personal property of any nature of offering the same for sale. This definition also includes any person who solicits orders and as a separate transaction makes deliveries to purchasers.
  • Peddling – Includes all activities ordinarily performed by a peddler as indicated under the definition “peddler” of this Section.
  • Person – A natural person of any firm, corporation, association, club, society or any other organization.
  • Solicitor – Any person who goes upon the premises of any private residence in the City, not having been invited by the occupant thereof, for the purpose of taking or attempting to take orders for the sale of goods, merchandise, wares or other personal property of any nature for future delivery, or for services to be performed in the future. This definition includes solicitation of appraisal services and solicitation of the purchase of tangible personal property. This definition does not include any person who, without invitation, goes upon private property to request contribution of funds or anything of value, or sell goods or services for political, charitable or religious purposes.
  • Solicitation – All Activities ordinarily performed by a solicitor as indicated under the definition of “solicitor” in this Section.