Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Order topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council asks solicitor to draft ordinance to regulate commercial door‑to‑door sales after resident complaints
Summary
After residents raised privacy and safety concerns about uninvited commercial solicitors, the council voted to direct the town solicitor to prepare draft language for an ordinance that would address commercial, for‑profit door‑to‑door sales. Several councilors urged caution about First Amendment limits and requested the solicitor analyze state and
Following constituent complaints about uninvited commercial solicitors, the Richmond Town Council voted Oct. 15 to direct the town solicitor to draft proposed ordinance language addressing commercial door‑to‑door sales so the council can consider options.
Why it matters: Residents said uninvited sales solicitors had become intrusive and raised safety and privacy concerns; others on the council cautioned that a prohibition on commercial solicitation could raise constitutional issues and that permitting may be a better regulatory approach to keep solicitors identifiable and ensure background checks.
Council action: After discussion the council approved a motion to have the solicitor draft example ordinance language for the council to review. The solicitor will analyze relevant case law and statutory limits and present options for the council — for example, an outright prohibition, an opt‑in/opt‑out registry, time‑place‑manner restrictions, a permitting system with background checks, or increased fees — and recommended redlines that respect constitutional protections for speech.
Vote and dissent: The motion to instruct the solicitor carried with a majority; a minority of councilors expressed concern about restricting commercial speech outright and argued for narrower measures such as a no‑solicit registry, time‑of‑day restrictions or more robust enforcement of existing trespass laws.
What’s next: The solicitor will return a draft ordinance and legal analysis. The council will consider the solicitor’s options, and any proposed ordinance would require public notice and a public‑hearing process before adoption.
Ending: The solicitor’s review will aim to balance resident privacy and safety with constitutional limits on regulating commercial speech; councilors said they expect to discuss a range of options rather than move immediately to an outright ban.
