Solicitors, Transient Merchants, Peddlers & Canvassers

Throughout the year, door-to-door soliciting, transient merchants, peddling, and canvassing questions are raised by Wayzata residents. While most of these activities are regulated by the City, they cannot be prohibited entirely.

A canvasser, for example, may go door-to-door without a permit from the City. A canvasser may be a person asking for signatures on a petition, requesting support for a political candidate or position.

520.01. Definitions. a. "Peddler" shall mean any person with no fixed place of business who goes from house to house, from place to place, or from street to street, carrying or transporting goods, wares or merchandise and offering or exposing the same for sale, or making sales and deliveries to purchasers.

b. "Solicitor" shall mean any person, charitable organization or fraternal society which goes from house to house, from place to place, or from street to street soliciting or requesting money, donations of money, property or financial assistance of any kind, or

taking or attempting to take orders for any goods, wares, merchandise or services, including books, periodicals, magazines or personal property of any nature whatsoever for future delivery.

c. "Transient Merchant" shall mean any person, firm or corporation who engages temporarily in the business of selling and delivering goods, wares or merchandise within the City, and who, in furtherance of the purpose, hires, leases, uses or occupies any building, structure, vacant lot, motor vehicle, trailer or railroad car.

For complete details on peddlers, solicitors and transient merchants, read the license requirements in the Wayzata City Code.

Only licensed peddlers and solicitors will have a photo ID issued by the city. Canvassers are not required to have a city issued ID. The City does not endorse any specific product or service by the issuing of this license.

All Solicitors, Transient Merchants, Peddlers & Canvassers must register with the City. Please contact the City Clerk at 952-404-5300 for an application.

Safety Reminders

Every year, the Wayzata Police Department responds to numerous calls regarding door-to-door solicitors. All solicitors including non-profit organizations are required to register with the City. There are many legitimate organizations that solicit door-to-door, either to sell products or services or to promote a religious, political, or charitable cause. However, there are also a growing number of individuals who illegally solicit with the purpose of committing fraud. For your safety, remember the following:

• IF you feel uncomfortable opening your door to a solicitor for any reason, DON'T.
• DO NOT let a peddler, solicitor, or canvasser into your home, even if they have a license.
• A solicitor should not knock or ring your doorbell for the purpose of selling a product or service if the property is posted with a "No Solicitors" sign.
• Call 911 to report suspicious persons or activities to the police.

How to Tell if a Person may be a Fraudulent Solicitor if he/she:

• Is out of compliance with the city code (lacks a city-issued ID).
• Behaves aggressively, acts threatening, tries to make you feel guilty for not wanting to buy what he/she is selling.
• Pressures you for an immediate decision and demands cash only.
• Pressures you into signing a contract on the spot. If you are signing a contract, READ THE CONTRACT THOROUGHLY.
• Refuses to supply paperwork to substantiate what he/she claims to be selling or to give a contact phone number and address for whom they claim to work.
• Asks for bank account or social security numbers.
• Attempts to make entry into your home (jiggles your door handle if no one answers). Tries to peer into your home through an open window or door to look at your valuables.

Remember: IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS! Please join with us in making our neighborhoods safer by promptly reporting solicitors or any other suspicious activity.

Residents Rights

Every resident and business has the right to prohibit peddlers and solicitors from their property. If you post a sign on your home or business that prohibits solicitors, they are not permitted to approach your property.

Complaints

Direct complaints about business practices to the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota at 651-699-1111.

• Check contractor references at Department of Labor
• Help in filing insurance alarms can be found at MN Commerce

Notification

The list below is updated as new peddlers, solicitors and transient merchants are approved.