Manhattan amends soliciting rules and raises application fee; board adds door sign enforcement

The Village of Manhattan approved an ordinance Feb. 4 amending Title 2, Chapter 4 of the village code governing soliciting. The ordinance updates the licensing fee structure, requires background checks when applicants apply for a solicitor license, limits each solicitor license period to two weeks unless renewed, and makes it a violation for solicitors to knock on doors that display a no‑solicitor sign.

Officials said the ordinance will increase the application fee: trustees clarified in discussion that the application fee will rise from $50 to $100; the board described the revised schedule as making the current license fee structure clearer in the packet. The police chief and staff said background checks and fingerprinting will be required when a solicitor applies and each time the individual seeks a new license. Staff also said they will post a list of approved solicitor licenses on the Manhattan Police Department page and include reminders in the village newsletter.

Trustees and residents raised concerns about impostor solicitors using false names or handing out paper credentials with no photo. Board members suggested adding a color photo to the village license to help residents verify identities; staff said they will assess the cost and whether the fee change will cover photo IDs. The ordinance retains exemptions for typical noncommercial, community or charitable door‑to‑door activity discussed in the packet (for example, youth organizations), but trustees emphasized the rule targets commercial sales and soliciting such as home improvement vendors, pest control and similar businesses.

The ordinance passed on roll call with yes votes recorded from trustees present.