City attorney urges broader solicitation access; council weighs no-knock list, hours and background checks

City legal staff presented proposed revisions to the city's solicitation and peddler ordinance that would allow door-to-door solicitation in all zoning districts, including residential areas, while adding administrative safeguards.

The city attorney's representative told council the change stems from First Amendment considerations: "it's the First Amendment. Commercial entities and businesses have commercial speech rights," the representative said when explaining the legal rationale for broadening where solicitation may occur. To balance those rights and resident privacy, the proposed draft would establish a permitting and background-check process for applicants, require visible identification for permitted solicitors, create a residential "no-knock" list residents may join and allow municipal-infraction penalties for violations.

Several council members asked for additional guardrails. Council discussion included direction to add hours-of-operation limits for solicitation, finalize which department would administer permits and return with proposed fees. A public commenter urged broad outreach and deliberation before any final ordinance, saying the change is "pretty big" and asking for clear homeowner signage guidance.

Council did not enact the ordinance at this meeting; staff said they will return with drafting updates, a recommended hours restriction and a fee schedule for council consideration.