Solicitor Information

The new city ordinance regulating peddlers, itinerant vendors, hawkers, solicitors, and canvassers was passed and approved on April 24, 2017. The following information is being provided in order to assist the residents of Alamo Heights in preserving their privacy. The changes in the new ordinance are a result of legislation and court rulings challenging over ­regulation of peddlers, etc., but allowing balance to the interests of peddlers and homeowners alike. One example is the implementation of a “no visit” list for Alamo Heights’ residents which will be maintained by the police department. Other means of preventing peddlers from visiting residence without an appointment or permission is a part of this information sheet.

Definitions:

Peddler: a person who attempts to make personal contact with a resident at his/her residence without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of attempting to sell a good or service.

Solicitor: a person who attempts to make personal contact with a resident at his/her residence without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of

  • Attempting to obtain a donation to a particular patriotic, philanthropic, social service, welfare, benevolent, educational, civic, fraternal, charitable, political or religious purpose, even if incidental to such purpose there is the sale of some good or service.
  • Distributing a handbill or flyer advertising a non-commercial event or service.

Canvasser: a person who attempts to make personal contact with a resident at his/her residence without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of

  • Attempting to enlist support for or against a particular religion, philosophy, ideology, political party, issue or candidate, even if incidental to such purpose the canvasser accepts the donation of money for or against such cause.
  • Distributing a handbill or flyer advertising a non-commercial event or service.

Itinerant Vendor or Hawker: a person who sets up and operates a temporary business on privately owned property, whether improved or unimproved, in the city, soliciting, selling, or taking orders for, or offering to sell or take orders for any goods or services. A temporary business is one from a stand, vehicle, or freestanding.

Information

Each peddler who has been approved for a permit/license shall be required to wear the issued peddler license prominently displayed on the outer clothing or otherwise displayed, as so to be reasonably visible to any person who might be approached by said person.

All residents within the City of Alamo Heights may restrict visits to their residential property (including their leasehold, in the case of a tenant) by peddlers, solicitors, and canvassers by completing a form provided by the city administration and being placed on the “NO VISIT” list. This form will also allow residents to select certain types of visits they find acceptable. The “No Visit” list shall be a public document and may be reproduced on the city website. Copies of the “No Visit” list shall be provided to each applicant for and each recipient of a peddler license.

Signs Prohibiting Contact

No peddler, hawker, solicitor, or canvasser may

  • Enter upon any private property where the property has a clearly posted in the front yard a sign visible from the right of way (public or private) indicating a prohibition against peddling, soliciting and/or canvassing, i.e. “no soliciting” or “no solicitors.”
  • Yard signs must have lettering at least two inches (2”) in height and the sign need not exceed one square foot in in size.
  • Remain upon any private property where a notice in the form of a sign or sticker is placed upon any door or entrance way leading into the residence or dwelling at which guests would normally enter, which sign contains the words “no soliciting” or “no solicitors” and which is clearly visible to the solicitor.

Hours Permitted

One half (1/2) hour AFTER sunrise and one-half (1/2) hour BEFORE sunset.

If peddler, hawker, solicitor, or canvasser has an express invitation from the resident or occupant the above operating hours do not apply.

For more information regarding this new ordinance regulating peddlers please review a copy of the ordinance provided on this site. Please contact the police administrative offices at (210) 822-­6433 if there are questions regarding the peddler ordinance or to be placed on the “no visit” list.

Related Documents
"No Visit" Request Form - Residents Download
Sample Solicitor Permit Download
Solicitor's Permit Application Download