This Missouri Town Is Super Strict With Solicitors

The day of door-to-door salesmen seems to have ended a long time ago. That doesn't mean, however, that no one ever comes to the door to sell you something. Or someone wanting to bring you the word of God. Or a kid selling something for his school. Well, one Missouri Town has some strict rules regarding solicitors and peddlers.

I'm talking about Lee's Summit, which has particular rules they ask peddlers and solicitors to follow.

First, peddlers must have a proper and visible permit. Second, if you don't want to deal with them, they must leave private property where they are not welcome. Solicitors also can't enter your home uninvited; they can't continue their message when you want them to stop. And they must adhere to the hours Lee's Summit permits peddlers and solicitors to do their thing.

I've never really thought about it that much. You know, the rules beyond if I have a "no solicitors" sticker on my door, you shouldn't come knocking if you're trying to sell me something. It's nice to see a town outline the policy and post it on its Facebook page.

Finding that information for other towns can be somewhat difficult. I looked at Sedalia's Municipal Code and couldn't find much on the subject, specifically regarding the conduct of door-to-door salesmen or peddlers. The application for Transient/Itinerant Merchant and Peddlers License doesn't give much information either.

Warrensburg's Solicitor/Canvasser/Peddler Application provides a few more details. Aside from having all the correct permits and licenses, soliciting is prohibited between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM. Business cannot be conducted in a vehicle located on a public street or on a public sidewalk unless a four-foot pedestrian way is maintained free of obstruction. Additionally, peddling unlawfully or in such a way as to breach the peace or constitute a menace to health, safety, or general welfare is prohibited.

Knob Noster's code prohibits peddlers from entering private property where a sign prohibiting solicitors is visible from the sidewalk or street—remaining on any private property where a no solicitors sign is placed on the door or entranceway where guests would normally enter. Additionally, peddlers can not use any other entrance except the main or front entrance without the express invitation of the occupant. Soliciting is limited between the hours of 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Violators of this ordinance will be prosecuted for trespassing.

The bottom line is that if you don't want to be solicited or sold to, put a no-soliciting sticker or sign by your front door. Should someone not pay attention to the sign, politely point it out and turn the solicitor away. In most cases, the solicitor will move on down the road. If a solicitor is particularly bothersome, call your town's non-emergency police number because I suspect every town has ordinances covering that problem, whether specific or not.