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Whitfield County holds first reading of draft door-to-door solicitation ordinance; sheriff would enforce
Summary
The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 13 conducted a first reading of a draft ordinance to regulate door-to-door solicitation in unincorporated areas. The sheriff's office has reviewed the draft and indicated willingness to enforce it; churches and political canvassing were identified as excluded by court precedent.
The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners held a first reading Oct. 13 of a draft ordinance to regulate door-to-door solicitation in unincorporated areas of the county.
County officials said the draft responds to multiple citizen requests and is modeled in part on a similar municipal ordinance in the city of Dalton. The draft lays out who may solicit, methods to avoid solicitation at specific houses and enforcement mechanisms; county staff said the sheriff's office reviewed the text and is willing to enforce it if the ordinance is adopted.
During the discussion a citizen asked whether the sheriff's office would be the contact if residents experience unwanted, door-to-door sales activity; county staff confirmed residents should call 911 for emergencies or the non-emergency sheriff's office number for routine complaints.
Commissioners noted that the draft excludes churches and political canvassing, saying established court decisions have created exemptions for those activities. The text remains a draft and commissioners invited public comment; the ordinance will return for consideration and possible adoption at a subsequent meeting after revisions.
The transcript does not provide the ordinance text in full; specific enforcement language, penalties and complaint processes will be determined as staff and commissioners revise the draft before a final vote.
