Appleton, Wisconsin: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a Commercial Solicitation License from the City Clerk before any transient merchant sells or offers to sell (9-613). Selling goods or services for household use at the buyer's residence counts as solicitation selling, and those sellers are treated as transient merchants (9-611). The company holds the license; every rep 18 or older fills in an application and carries a photo license.
• Where it comes from: The Office of the City Clerk, 100 N Appleton St. The Chief of Police and the Sealer of Weights and Measures investigate and sign off before the Clerk issues it (9-615).
• Fee: The code puts the amount on file with the Clerk (9-614, 9-617). The Clerk's current application lists a Company License at $207.00, which includes one employee, and an Additional Employee License at $57.00 for each extra rep. Cash or check only; fees are non-refundable. The police may also require a bond of five hundred dollars ($500.00) (9-616).
• Hours you may knock: No selling, soliciting orders or entering premises for that purpose between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (9-621(f)). The Clerk's sheet puts it as 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. daily.
• What the rep carries: The license, posted on the person and shown on demand to any officer, customer or prospective buyer (9-617). Every licensee and each agent or employee gets a photo identification card from the Clerk (9-617); photos are taken at the time of application.
• What takes the time: Police and sealer investigation, endorsed within a reasonable time not to exceed seven (7) working days after filing (9-615); the application says to allow 7 business days. Each application lists every employee's name, date of birth and address and the applicant's residences for the past two years (9-614). Reps under 18 need a state street trade permit (9-617).
• Code: Appleton Municipal Code, Chapter 9, Article XI — Peddlers, Solicitors, Canvassers and Other Transient Merchants, Division 2 — Commercial Solicitation (9-611 to 9-623). Read from the city's own PDF of the code, Supplement #100.
• Worth knowing: Licenses run six months — April 1 through September 30 and October 1 through March 31 (9-617). No knocking at a residence posted "No Peddlers" or "No Soliciting" or words to like effect (9-621(e)). Licenses are not valid in the Central Business District on Flag Day Parade, Octoberfest and Christmas Parade days, or within two blocks of any other special event (9-617). Orders taken with a deposit must be in writing, in duplicate, with a copy to the buyer (9-620).
• Read it yourself: Appleton Municipal Code (Supp. #100), Chapter 9, Article XI, Division 2 — Commercial Solicitation · City of Appleton — Municipal Code page · City of Appleton Clerk — Application for Commercial Solicitation License · City of Appleton Clerk — Forms, Licenses & Permits · checked 22 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether a license bought in September still expires September 30, with no proration
• Whether the Chief of Police routinely requires the $500.00 bond for door-to-door companies
• Whether a new rep added mid-period can start before police and sealer approval

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________