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Council amends ordinance to create "do not knock" registry for commercial solicitors
Summary
The Rules and Ordinance Committee recommended and the council amended and enrolled an ordinance adding a commercial "do not knock" registry; the proposal excludes religious/political speech and nonprofit activities and sets a $300 fine and possible one‑year permit revocation for violations.
Malden City Council amended and enrolled an ordinance to add a commercial “do not knock” registry allowing property owners or occupants to notify the police department that commercial canvassers and solicitors are prohibited from knocking at a listed address.
Councilor Winslow, reporting for the Rules and Ordinance Committee, said the change narrows the rule to commercial solicitors and canvassers and specifically excludes religious, political and constitutionally protected speech as well as certain exemptions such as postal service, delivery services and nonprofit/charitable organizations. She read committee‑recommended language describing the registry and sign/photo requirement.
Under the amended language read into the record, “Owners and occupants may register for the do not registry by completing a form available at the police department and including a photograph of the posted sign. The do not registry will be available on the police department's website and will be available to all persons or companies applying or approved for a commercial canvassing and or solicitation permit.” The committee further proposed that permit holders must check the registry before soliciting, and that violations would carry a fine of $300 per offense and/or a one‑year revocation of any city permit.
Committee members recommended enrolling the ordinance now and completing final language and implementation details before adoption; the council voted to amend the paper per the committee’s recommendations and then to enroll the paper as amended. Councilors said they expected the police department to prepare an application and public‑facing registry page and suggested an implementation target in the fall so staff can finalize forms and notice procedures.
The council did not set an immediate effective date in the meeting; Councilor Winslow said she expected to finalize language with the solicitor and police chief and suggested an implementation window around October 1 to allow time for public notice and administrative preparations.
