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Council holds first reading on noncommercial soliciting ordinance; city to refine language after legal review
Summary
On first reading the council considered Ordinance No. 25-1838, which removes permit and identification requirements for noncommercial solicitors to conform with U.S. Supreme Court precedent, but preserves time, place and manner rules and 'no soliciting' sign protections. Corporation Counsel will revise language before second reading.
The Dearborn City Council on Feb. 25, 2025, conducted the first reading of Ordinance No. 25-1838, proposing changes to chapter 12, article 7, division 3 of the city code to remove permit and identification requirements for noncommercial soliciting. The council left in time, place and manner restrictions and enforcement tied to property owners’ posted “no soliciting” signs.
Why it matters: The proposed changes respond to U.S. Supreme Court precedents on First Amendment protections for noncommercial speech. The ordinance removes a municipal permit and ID requirement that staff said is not consistent with the court’s protections, while preserving homeowners’ ability to prohibit solicitation by posting signs.
City staff explained the substance of the draft ordinance and the rationale. The clerk read that the amendment would remove permit and identification prerequisites from several sections of section 12-297. City legal counsel and council members debated how the code should treat political, religious and charitable canvassers, which traditionally receive stronger free-speech protections.
Councilman Hamoud questioned whether references to “religious, political, and charitable” purposes should be struck or clarified. Corporation Counsel (Mr. Romer) advised that the court decision primarily affects permit/license requirements rather than neutral time, place and manner restrictions that protect homeowner premises. Counsel agreed to reexamine Section 12-302 language and return revised wording at the next reading.
Police Chief Shaheen clarified enforcement mechanics: if a homeowner posts a “no soliciting” sign, sellers are prohibited from knocking; political and religious canvassers retain First Amendment protections and therefore may still knock in some contexts.
The council recorded the item as a first reading; no final adoption vote was taken. Corporation Counsel was directed to review the court precedent and return refined ordinance language for the second reading.
