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Oakland approves change to peddler and solicitor rules, restores no‑solicit list
Summary
On second and final reading the council amended Ordinance 23‑24 to remove language that excluded dwellings, reinstated a no‑solicit list and set permit/background‑check requirements for door‑to‑door sales; enforcement details and penalties were described as limited.
The Board of Aldermen voted to approve Ordinance 25‑10, a second and final reading amendment to Ordinance 23‑24, removing language that had barred dwellings from restrictions on peddlers, solicitors, transient vendors and street callers.
Town Manager Mister Ellis told the board the change permits door‑to‑door sales in Oakland but requires solicitors to obtain a permit, background check and an identifying badge; residents may register for a no‑solicitation list that Ellis said will be available on the town website and also at the town office. The town manager said residents who encounter a solicitor without an ID badge should call the police department.
At a public hearing before the vote, resident Mister Newhouse of Countryside Drive criticized the ordinance as ineffective without explicit penalties, saying that without enforcement the rules are “like having a speed limit sign … but if you wanna go faster, go ahead because there’s no fine.” He urged the board to consider stronger sanctions such as fines or revoking a vendor’s business license.
Attorney Mister Minor and other board members discussed where enforcement consequences would be codified. Board members noted there are other municipal ordinances and statutes that provide enforcement mechanisms, but the ordinance as presented does not list a specific monetary penalty for failing to comply with the no‑solicit list. One board member also noted the town previously maintained a no‑solicitation database that was lost to a crash and said this ordinance restores that capability.
A motion to approve Ordinance 25‑10 carried with members saying “Aye”; no roll‑call vote was recorded in the meeting minutes presented during the session.
The ordinance sponsors said the town will publish a downloadable/no‑solicit form online and allow residents to submit entries to the town office for enforcement tracking. The board did not add additional penalty language during the meeting; board members discussed addressing enforcement details through related resolutions or policy if desired.
