Solicitor Permit

• Who is a Solicitor?
• Who is a Peddler
• Permit Required
• Business License
• Permit Disqualification
• Non Profit Organizations
• Permit Revocation
• Regulations
• Violations

Who is a Solicitor?

Anyone who goes to a private residence without being invited for the purpose of taking orders for the sale of goods, merchandise, wares for future delivery or for services to be performed in the future. This also includes persons who sell goods or services for political, charitable, religious or other non-commercial purposes.

Who is a Peddler?

Anyone who goes to a private residence without being invited and offering goods, wares, merchandise or personal property of any nature for sale.

Permit Required

This solicitor guide is designed to help you through the permit process and to summarize the regulations governing peddlers and solicitors in the City of Shawnee. A permit is required to solicit or peddle in the City of Shawnee. You can obtain an application for a permit by downloading the solicitor application form.

Please bring the solicitor form along with a valid  Driver's License to:

Shawnee City Hall
11110 Johnson Drive
Shawnee, KS 66203
(913) 631-2500, ext-240

It takes approximately 5 days for the City to process an application. Permits cost $5.00 and are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Solicitor’s Permits are issued to individuals and are non-transferable.

Business License

All businesses operating in the City are required to have an Business License. Before the City will issue a Solicitor’s Permit, a business for which an individual is soliciting must have an Business License. Applications are available from the Licensing Division at City Hall. The licensing year runs from October 1 to September 30. The fee is prorated based on the amount of time remaining in the licensing year.

Permit Disqualification

If you have been convicted in the last 5 years of a felony, misdemeanor, or other violation of the laws of any city, state or the federal government for any offense below or if any answer on your application is found to be untrue, your application for a Solicitor’s Permit will be denied: 

• force or threat of force;
• violence;
• theft;
• dishonesty;
• fraud;
• sexual misconduct;
• moral turpitude; or
• violation of any solicitor’s ordinance

Non Profit Organizations

A Solicitor’s Permit is not required for persons soliciting for charitable contributions. ‘Charitable’ means any activity carried on for unselfish, civic or humanitarian motives for the benefit of others and not for private gain.

Charitable Contribution means any contribution made on behalf of a nonprofit organization holding a tax exemption certificate from the IRS pursuant to Section 501. Any charitable organization should submit a copy of their tax exempt certificate along with a letter to the City Clerk identifying the recipient of the funds, fund raising methods and the dates during which the funds will be collected prior to soliciting in the City.

Permit Revocation

The City Manager may suspend any Solicitor’s Permit for any violation of the Solicitor’s Regulations or for any act in connection with the business or trade which is unlawful or fraudulent in nature. The City Council may then consider the reasons for the suspension and permanently revoke or cancel a Solicitor’s Permit.

Regulations

• You must carry your solicitor’s permit with you and show it to any resident or officer of the City should they request to see it. If you solicit before receiving your permit, you are subject to arrest.
• Your permit may not be used as an endorsement of the City.
• You may not solicit at residences or businesses that have a ‘No Solicitors’ or ‘No Trespassers’ sign.
• You may solicit between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. only.
• You may only solicit at the main entrance of a residence.
• You must tell each person from whom you are soliciting your name and the name of the business or organization that you represent.
• You must provide a written receipt for purchases exceeding $5.00. The receipt must describe the goods or services sold and state the purchase price, amount of cash payment, if any, the balance due and the terms of payment.
• You or any representative from your company may only solicit the same home once within a 30 day period.
• You must leave a residence or business should the owner ask you to leave. Violators can be arrested and prosecuted for criminal trespassing. You may not make any assertion, representation or statement or use any plan or scheme which misrepresents the purpose of your visit.
• You may not sell or offer for sale goods, wares or merchandise from a vehicle on any public street of the City.
• You may not use any sound device or musical instruments, make any loud speaking radio or sound amplifying system, on any streets, alleys, parks or other public places or on any private premises in the City for the purpose of attracting attention to any merchandise.
• You may not restrict or interfere with the ingress or egress, congest or delay traffic, or create a hazard to traffic, life, or property. You may not cause an obstruction or prohibit access by fire, police or sanitation vehicles.

Violations

Any person violating any provision of the Solicitor’s Ordinance will, upon conviction, be fined up to $500 dollars and/or be imprisoned up to 30 days.

Adobe Reader is needed to open pdf files.

City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203
(913) 631-2500 Fax (913) 631-7351 E-Mail