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Council puts proposed peddlers and solicitors ordinance on hold for rewrite
Summary
Council members introduced a draft update to the peddlers/solicitations ordinance proposing registration, police-run background checks and license fees ($40/10 days; $150/120 days). Members asked for added penalties and directed staff to return with a revised draft at the next meeting.
Martinsville — Council members introduced a draft revision to the city’s peddlers, solicitors and transient merchants ordinance at the Nov. 10 meeting that would add registration requirements, police-handled background checks, ID tags and a tiered fee structure.
The draft, discussed by council members who worked on the item, proposes a $40 fee for a 10‑day license and $150 for a 120‑day license. A sponsor explained the preference for routing applications through the police department so officers can perform background checks and issue ID tags; the sponsor added applicants would be responsible for the background-check cost.
Council probed operational details. Chief Lang said the department can run local NCIC checks and estimated a local check at about $15, while more comprehensive checks can run $35–$45 depending on scope. Counsel and councilors noted the existing ordinance is processed by the clerk-treasurer and lacks meaningful penalties; members directed the drafters to add enforcement language so the ordinance will have “teeth.”
The council asked staff to prepare a first draft and indicated a public hearing will be required if the council wishes to adopt a fee-bearing ordinance. The council agreed to table the item for further revision and asked the clerk to email the current ordinance for comparison.
Outcome: council tabled the draft for further edits and asked staff to return with a revised ordinance and penalty language before scheduling a public hearing.
