Birchwood adopts solicitor registration ordinance and sets fee at $100

The Birchwood Village City Council approved a solicitor-registration ordinance and set the initial registration fee at $100, aiming to curb repeated complaints about aggressive door-to-door solicitors.

Councilor Justin introduced the measure, saying residents had reported solicitors who "wouldn't leave them alone" and that registration and identification would make enforcement and complaint handling easier. Some council members questioned whether registration would deter bad actors in practice or simply provide a mailing list; Councilor Kathy said enforcement and compliance could be difficult and called the measure potentially burdensome to administer.

Supporters pointed to practices in other cities where solicitors receive ID cards after registration, and noted the fixed fee could discourage casual or opportunistic solicitations while providing an enforcement mechanism. The full ordinance passed on a roll voice vote; council also ordered a second reading for fee-schedule adjustments and approved summary publication consistent with charter procedures.

The ordinance requires solicitors to register and show identification while soliciting; residents who feel harassed can report license holders to the city for possible enforcement. Staff was directed to place the $100 fee into the fee schedule and to monitor administrative workload for possible future adjustments.