Allen, Texas: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a home solicitation permit from the Allen Police Department, plus a city photo identification card for every rep. It is unlawful to conduct home solicitation without first getting a permit (8-65(a)). "Home solicitation" means going house to house to sell goods or services or take orders for future delivery or future services (8-62). The applicant lists every agent or employee who needs an identification card, and each rep also carries a copy of the permit (8-66(c), 8-67).
• Where it comes from: The city police department (8-69, 8-70). The Allen Police page says solicitor applicants must apply in person at Allen Police Headquarters, 205 West McDermott Drive, during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday), with a driver's license or other valid U.S. government-issued photo ID.
• Fee: $50 permit fee, $35 background check fee and $5 ID card fee, per the Allen Police Solicitor's Permits page — so one applicant pays $50 + $35 + $5. All fees are non-refundable and paid at the time of application. The code sets no amounts itself; it says the fees are set by city council resolution, and that the background check and identification card fees are charged for each person engaged in the solicitation (8-69, 8-70(f)). A door-to-door permit runs for the time requested, not to exceed 90 days (8-72(b)). The police page says the permit fee — not the background check or ID card fee — is waived for individuals operating under a license granted by the State of Texas.
• Hours you may knock: From one-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset, unless the rep is there by the express prior invitation of the owner or occupant (8-65(c)). The section sets no clock times and names no days off.
• What the rep carries: A valid city photo identification card showing who the rep is and who the rep is soliciting for, displayed prominently on the clothing (8-66(a)) — the police page says on the chest or upper body. Plus a copy of the permit in the rep's immediate possession, shown to anyone who asks (8-67).
• What takes the time: A criminal background check on the applicant and each person soliciting (8-70(f)). The police department issues the permit within ten business days after a completed application is filed unless a ground for denial turns up (8-72(a)); the police page says permits are issued within 10 working days upon approval. Applying is in person. With a 90-day cap, a year-round team re-applies four times a year (8-72(b)). The application needs the taxpayer identification number and a copy of a valid state sales tax certificate, if applicable (8-70(e)).
• Code: Allen Code of Ordinances Chapter 8, Article III, Itinerant Merchants, Peddlers, and Solicitors (8-61 to 8-76), last amended by Ord. No. 3389-6-16, June 28, 2016. Municode shows the code as codified through Ordinance No. 4212-2-26, adopted February 10, 2026 (Supp. No. 23).
• Worth knowing: Do not knock where a weatherproof card at or near the main entrance reads "no trespassing," "no peddlers," "no advertisements," "no solicitation," "no handbills" or similar (8-65(e), (f)). Leave immediately when asked (8-65(h)). Grounds for denial include a felony or moral-turpitude misdemeanor conviction within two years, an active arrest warrant, an active emergency protective order, sex offender registration, or a permit revoked in the past twelve months (8-72(a)). Handbill or door-hanger drops need their own permit, good for no more than 30 days (8-65(b), 8-72(b)). The article does not apply to persons licensed by the State of Texas where state law preempts it (8-61(6)).
• Read it yourself: Allen Code of Ordinances Chapter 8, Article III, Itinerant Merchants, Peddlers, and Solicitors · Allen Police Department, Solicitor's Permits · Allen Code of Ordinances, title page · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Is the $50 permit fee paid once per company or by every rep?
• Does each rep have to come to Police Headquarters in person for the ID card photo?
• How long is the background check taking right now?

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________