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Fort Mill amends solicitation rules; commercial solicitors will require permits starting Nov. 1
Summary
Council approved an ordinance update establishing permitting, restricted hours and penalties for solicitation; homeowners can use door- or mailbox-level signage to prohibit commercial or all solicitation.
The Fort Mill Town Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 8, Article 3, Section 8‑67 of the Town Code to add procedural requirements for solicitation, including a commercial-solicitor permitting process, restricted hours and penalties.
Town legal staff explained that municipalities cannot ban solicitation outright because of First Amendment protections, but they can regulate time, place and manner. The ordinance requires commercial solicitors to obtain an annual permit (staff described an anticipated fee in the $100–$150 range) and authorizes the town to limit solicitation hours to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It also creates two homeowner options for posted notices: “No commercial solicitation,” which would bar salespersons but still allow political or religious canvassing, and “No solicitation,” which would bar all door-to-door requests. Staff said permits may be revoked if a company fails to follow the rules.
Council clarified the ordinance’s effective date is Nov. 1 to give staff time to develop application forms, establish fees and publicize the program. Council members said the policy will be communicated to homeowners associations and posted on the town website and social media.
Council members discussed enforcement and practical limits — staff noted that even with a no-solicitation sign, the town cannot monitor every street 24/7 and encouraged residents to post the appropriate notice on doors or mailboxes and to call the town if a permit-holder violates the ordinance. The ordinance passed on second reading at this meeting.
