Lemoore council studies changes to peddler, solicitor rules after resident complaints

The Lemoore Police Chief reviewed the city’s peddler and solicitor ordinance during a study session at the Oct. 7 Lemoore City Council meeting, saying the code currently declares solicitors a nuisance and requires a peddler’s license before door‑to‑door soliciting.

“To my knowledge, we have not issued out a peddler’s license this year,” the Police Chief said, adding that Section 3 7 1 requires a background investigation and fingerprinting and that Section 3 7 2 makes soliciting a misdemeanor enforceable by officers.

Council members and residents raised enforcement and identification concerns, citing nuisance complaints from residents about outside solicitors who do not have local business licenses. Resident Alex Walker said he supports the ordinance but asked how enforcement would work and how residents should report violations so police are not overburdened. “What would enforcement actually look like? What is the expectation for citizens to report it appropriately so we're not overburdening our police force?” Walker asked.

Council members discussed several possible changes to bring back as draft ordinance language: requiring solicitors to carry a visible city‑issued peddler or business ID card while soliciting; restricting solicitation hours (one councilmember suggested 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., others proposed sunset‑to‑sundown); creating a local registry or social‑media posting of authorized solicitors; and an age minimum (one example cited was 16 and older). Resident Mr. Reed asked specifically, “Would the solicitor be issued some form of city identification that says they have permission?”

The Police Chief and councilmembers noted examples from other cities — the presentation cited Los Angeles' limits on hours and Newport Beach’s database of solicitors — but emphasized that what the council ultimately adopts is the council’s choice. The Police Chief said officers currently respond to reports and will prioritize calls and that, if the council desires, staff can draft ordinance language clarifying identification, hours, and enforcement.

City Manager Marissa Trejo and the Police Chief agreed to prepare draft language and related implementation steps for a future meeting. “Again, I will get something written up, to bring forward,” the Police Chief said.

The session was a study discussion; no ordinance changes were introduced or voted on Oct. 7. Councilmembers said the intent is to protect residents from aggressive or unlicensed solicitors while allowing legitimate local businesses to operate.