Solicitation

All persons, businesses, and organizations wishing to solicit in Claremont for any money, funds, or contributions are required to obtain a permit prior to soliciting.

Sample Solicitor Permit

Permit Requirements & Applications

The permit requirements and process varies for commercial and non-commercial organizations and the type of solicitation that is planned.

Commercial Permit Requirements

• All persons soliciting and employers must obtain a permit
• City business tax certificate also required
• Must provide proof of insurance
• All applicants must undergo Livescan fingerprinting and criminal background check by the Police Department
• A permit may be denied/revoked for misrepresentation on application, or for convictions of violent crimes, sexual assault, possession of drugs, theft, fraud, or burglary
• No permit will be issued to an applicant (company) for 1 year following revocation of any solicitor permit issued to the same company
• Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to proposed solicitation
• Permit fee of $470, based on a cost recovery formula (as of July 2014)
• The Police Department issues a solicitor permit ID card with photo, valid for 90 days.

Apply at: Claremont Police Department. Instructions included on the Commercial Application(PDF, 238KB) form.

Non-commercial Permit Requirements

• Only the organization is required to obtain a permit; not required for individual solicitors
• Individual solicitors must carry identification and authorization to act on behalf of the organization
• Children under the age of 12 shall be accompanied by an adult
• 501(c)(3) organizations must provide a letter of determination approving tax exempt status, updated annually
• Public or private schools must provide a letter from school administrator verifying school affiliation, updated annually
• Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to proposed solicitation
• Permits are valid for 1 year

Apply at: City Hall, Finance Department, as instructed on the Non-Commercial Application(PDF, 35KB) form

Key Elements of CMC 5.40, Solicitation

Charitable

• 501 (c)(3) Organizations - Boy & Girl Scouts, youth athletic clubs, etc.
• School clubs - public or private school

Commercial Solicitation

• All solicitation that is not non-commercial, as described below

Non-Commercial Solicitation

• Purpose of solicitation is political, religious, or charitable

Solicitation

• Requesting directly or indirectly: Money, credit, funds, contributions, personal property, or anything of value
• Taking or attempting to take orders for sale of goods, wares, merchandise, or services
• Providing the description of future delivery or for services to be performed in the future
• Selling and making immediate delivery of goods, wares, merchandise, or services

Solicitation is Not...

• Communication that is political, religious, or charitable in nature and that does not involve solicitation of money, funds, contributions, or anything of value
• Delivery of items ordered by resident or business (newspapers, groceries, etc.)

"Do Not Knock" Registry

• Solicitors are required to obtain an updated list on the 1st of each month (available at City Hall, Finance Department)
• All solicitors much abide by the Do Not Knock Registry

Non-Permissible Hours of Solicitation

• From dusk (30 minutes past sunset) to 8 a.m.

Unwanted Solicitations Prohibited

• At any address on the Do Not Knock Registry
• At any address or business with a "No Solicitation" or similar sign

Locations - Solicitations Prohibited

• At certain locations: bus stops, public transportation vehicles or facilities, public parking lot or parking structures, outdoor dining areas

Abusive Solicitation Prohibited

• Coming within 3 feet of, or touching, the person being solicited
• Blocking or impeding the passage of the person being solicited
• Continuing solicitation after the person being solicited has objected to solicitation
• Following the person being solicited after the person has objected to solicitation
• Threatening or using offensive words

Other Requirements

Other legal requirements and regulations contained in the City's Solicitation Ordinance(PDF, 1MB) and Claremont Municipal Code (CMC) 5.40.

Refer to the complete legal reference: Municipal Code, Chapter 5.40 Solicitation.