Yukon enacts temporary moratorium on enforcement of peddlers and solicitors rule after legal challenge

The Yukon City Council on Tuesday enacted a temporary moratorium on enforcement of Chapter 82 of the City of Yukon Code of Ordinances, which covers peddlers and solicitors, after the city received a legal challenge from a pest-control company.

The moratorium is temporary and limited to enforcement of the ordinance while staff and the city’s legal counsel review and, if necessary, revise the language to ensure compliance with the U.S. and Oklahoma constitutions.

Why it matters: Council members said they do not intend to repeal the ordinance but want to ensure its provisions protect residents’ rights and will stand up to legal scrutiny. The moratorium arose after Moxie Pest Control sent a legal notice challenging the city’s peddler and solicitor rules.

Resident Stephanie Burdine told the council the company had retained out-of-state counsel and argued residents have a constitutional right not to be disturbed in their homes. “I have a constitutional right as does every other citizen to not be disturbed in my home,” Burdine said.

Mayor Brian Pilmore said the council, with attorney Reinhardt and other municipal organizations that have faced similar challenges, is “likely going to tweak our ordinance a bit to ensure that your rights are respected, every resident's rights are respected, and ensure that we meet the obligations to the Oklahoma Constitution, to the U.S. Constitution.”

Council members repeatedly clarified that the moratorium does not repeal Chapter 82, and they said any revisions will aim to keep constitutionally permissible protections for residents while addressing the legal issues raised.

Ending: The council voted to enact the temporary moratorium and directed staff and legal counsel to review the ordinance and report back with proposed revisions.