BLOG: Pleasanton's Take on Pesky Door-to-Door Solicitors

This is a press release from the city of Pleasanton:

"Pleasanton residents have been contacting the Pleasanton Police Department and City Hall to express their concerns regarding persons coming door-to-door to sell magazines, cleaning supplies and other products in our community. Many residents have reported that these solicitors are aggressive and rude."

"The City of Pleasanton's ability to regulate door-to-door solicitors has been severely restricted by a decision of the United States Supreme Court in 2002 involving door-to-door solicitors in Village of Stratton. In that decision, the Court ruled that the First Amendment generally prohibits cities from being able to require solicitors to obtain in advance permits subject to background checks. As a consequence of this decision, the City of Pleasanton does not enforce the permit requirements of Municipal Code Chapter 6.36 (Solicitors and Certain Businesses) originally enacted in 1968." 

"All persons doing business in the City are required to obtain a City business license. This includes solicitors. A business license is not a background check, and persons obtaining a business license may immediately begin their solicitation operations. Nevertheless, the Police Department works closely with other City staff to obtain the names of the persons who have received such business licenses for door-to-door solicitation, and the Police Department has been responding to calls from residents regarding such solicitors."

"Residents who do not wish for solicitors to knock on their doors are encouraged to post a "No Soliciting" sign. That sign should discourage solicitors, but does not legally prohibit them from still knocking on your door, as trespass may only arise when a person refuses to leave after being told to leave."

"Residents are further advised that persons who knock on doors to discuss political views, seek donations for charities, or talk religious views are engaged in protected First Amendment speech."

"Not opening the door unless it is a person you know and want to speak with is every resident's best option."

"Please call the Pleasanton Police Department at 925-931-5100 to report any situation where you feel threatened or concerned for your safety."

In my neighborhood, the solicitors are selling solar installations and insulated windows. I already have insulated windows on my home. I believe the solicitor selling insulated windows in my neighborhood does not know an insulated window when he sees one.

Other type of solicitors are landscape solicitors and quite often throw a little baggie with a couple of rocks inside with their business card. They throw the baggie into the driveway.

Other solicitors leave their business cards on my door step or they stick their card and flyers inside my door. When I open the door the material scatters into my yard.

I suggest that residents go to the city of Pleasanton's website and download the above press release and if you do open your door, give the printed release to the solicitor. Ask the solicitor if he or she has a business license issued by the city of Pleasanton that permits them ring door bells and knock on doors to solicit business.