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City of Dallas Solicitor's Permit

City Ordinance #29245
Application Instructions

 

As of January 22, 2014 the Dallas City Council passed an ordinance requiring anyone soliciting within the city limits of Dallas to register with and obtain a solicitor's permit from the City of Dallas. The only exceptions to this ordinance would be charitable and non-profit organizations. The City of Dallas solicitor's permit identification card will be valid for one year from the date of issuance. The solicitor's permit identification card must be conspicuously worn by the solicitor and visible at all times.

A permit holder may conduct home solicitation between the hours of 9 a.m. and sunset, Monday through Saturday, excepting New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Solicitation may not be conducted at any residence displaying any sign which states "NO SOLICITORS OR HANDBILLS", or any similar notice indicating the occupants do not wish to be bothered, disturbed, or have commercial printed matter left on the premises.

The applicant for a Solicitor's Permit must complete an application form (if possible, please utilize the fill form capabilities).

If the applicant is a company, the application must include;

  • the company's name, address, and telephone number;
  • the name, address, telephone number and title of each of its officers;
  • the date and place of incorporation or establishment of the business;
  • the name, address, and telephone number of each person who will be conducting a home solicitation in the city for the applicant.

If the applicant is an individual, the application must include;

  • the applicant's name, address and telephone number;
  • the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or company for which the applicant is acting as an agent;
  • the name, address and telephone number of each person who will be conducting a home solicitation in the city for the applicant;
  • a 2" x 2" color photograph of the applicant, taken within the preceding 12 months, that clearly depicts the applicant's facial features;
  • the applicant's date of birth and driver's license number (with the state of issuance) or, if the applicant does not have a driver's license, the number from another government-issued personal identification card containing the applicant's photograph and date of birth;

In addition, all applicants must provide;

  • the names of other communities in which the applicant has worked as a home solicitor in the past 12 months and, if the applicant was an agent of different companies in the other communities, the names of those companies;
  • the nature, character, and quality of the goods or services to be advertised, offered for sale, or delivered as part of the home solicitation;
  • whether the applicant, upon obtaining an order for goods or services, will demand, accept, or receive payment or a deposit of money in advance of final delivery of the goods or services;
  • the dates, times, and locations for which the applicant proposes to conduct home solicitations in the city;
  • an outline of the method or methods to be used in conducting the home solicitations;
  • whether the applicant has been convicted of any of the following criminal offenses which are disqualifiers for obtaining a permit:
    • criminal homicide (Chapter 19 Texas Penal Code)
    • kidnapping (Chapter 20 Texas Penal Code)
    • a sexual offense (Chapter 21 Texas Penal Code)
    • an assault offense (Chapter 22 Texas Penal Code)
    • Robbery (Chapter 29 Texas Penal Code)
    • Burglary (Chapter 20 Texas Penal Code)
    • Theft (Chapter 31 Texas Penal Code) committed against a person with whom the applicant came in contact while engaged in a home solicitation business
    • Fraud (Chapter 32 Texas Penal Code) committed against a person with whom the applicant came in contact while engaged in a home solicitation business
    • Weapons violations (Chapter 46 Texas Penal Code) punishable as a felony
    • Criminal Attempt to commit any of the offenses listed above
  • Proof that the applicant possess all licenses or permits required by this code or by state or federal law for the operation of the business;
  • If the applicant is an agent of an individual or company, proof of the applicant's authority to represent the individual or company;

The applicant will bring all application materials and submit them in person, with a non-refundable fee of $50, to the Dallas Police Department, 1400 S. Lamar, Dallas, Texas between 8am-3pm Monday-Friday. Payment must be made by cash, credit (Visa or Mastercard only), debit card and money orders. The Chief of Police will issue and send (by certified US mail, to the local address provided on the application) the Certificate of Registration (identification card) to the applicant within 30 days unless a disqualifying circumstance is found. In that event, the Chief of Police will notify the applicant in writing of the denial. Applicants who are denied a Certificate of Registration have the right to appeal the action with the Permit and License Appeal Board in accordance with Section 2-96 of the City Code. The applicant must file a written appeal to the permit and license appeal board with the city secretary within 10 calendar days after the date of receiving notice of the denial.

There is a $10 fee to replace a lost, stolen or misplaced Solicitor’s Permit identification card.

If you need a replacement card for one that has been a lost, stolen, misplaced or if you have any questions regarding the application process or ordinance please contact Annette Hayes at annette.hayes@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us or 214-671-3365.

Application Form

City Ordinance
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