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Council previews proposed no‑knock registry and wider peddler licensing after city survey shows strong support
Summary
Staff previewed changes to the solicitation ordinance to add a voluntary "no‑knock" registry, expand peddler licensing to services as well as goods, and strengthen enforcement (civil license penalties and up to $500 criminal fines) after a 2,898‑response survey showed broad resident support.
City staff previewed a proposed amendment to the solicitation section of the municipal code that would create a voluntary, annually renewed "no‑knock" registry residents can use to opt out of door-to-door commercial solicitation.
The ordinance draft would (1) clarify the difference between canvassers (political/election or survey activity) and peddlers (commercial sales), (2) expand peddling licenses to cover both goods and services, and (3) establish enforcement options including fines up to $500, license suspension or revocation and reinstatement fees.
Aaron McCulla, who led a city survey on the topic, said 2,898 responses were received; the survey indicated roughly 90–95% of respondents would support a no‑knock registry and were willing to renew an annual address listing. Respondents cited privacy, crime prevention and fraud avoidance as top reasons to enroll. Staff described an implementation approach that would publish a regularly refreshed registry on the city website, provide paper copies and require licensed peddlers to consult the list prior to door-to-door activity. Staff identified an on‑boarding period to allow solicitors time to adapt and said enforcement could be pursued civilly through licensing or criminally through police citations.
Council previewed the ordinance and directed staff to return for final adoption, with staff acknowledging there will be an initial implementation effort to notify businesses and provide clear expectations to licensees.
