Auburn, Washington: door-to-door solicitor permit

Partly read: the permit answer is sourced, but the fee or the hours could not be read from the city’s own pages. The clerk questions below cover the gap.

• The answer: Yes — a solicitor license, one per rep. The city's business license FAQ says each person going door to door must obtain a license, and an issued license is required before going door to door. Solicitors are one of the city's regulatory licenses under Auburn City Code Chapter 5.20, on top of the general city business license.
• Where it comes from: The City of Auburn business license office (Auburn City Hall Annex, 2nd Floor, 1 E Main St). Regulatory license applications come from the city's Forms page and go by email to businesslicenses@auburnwa.gov, per the city's Business Licenses page.
• Fee: Not published where we looked. The 2026 City of Auburn Fee Schedule lists the General Business License at $112.00 a year, but its individual (regulatory) license list names only dance halls and marijuana businesses, and the solicitor application shows no fee. Ask the business license office, or see the City Clerk Call Sheet.
• Hours you may knock: Not read. Auburn City Code is hosted on auburn.municipal.codes, which returned a bot check, and the city's license pages do not state knocking hours.
• What the rep carries: Not read from the code. The FAQ says each rep submits a copy of his driver's license with the application.
• What takes the time: The approval process for a solicitor takes approximately two weeks, per the city FAQ. The application authorizes the city to investigate the applicant's background and asks for the company's Washington State UBI number.
• Code: Auburn City Code Chapter 5.20 — individual license regulations (not read; host blocked). General business licenses under Chapter 5.10.
• Worth knowing: Regulatory licenses run January 1 to December 31 and must be renewed every year, per the city FAQ.
• Read it yourself: City of Auburn — FAQ for Auburn Business Licensing (PDF, updated 11/2023) · City of Auburn — Solicitor Business License Application (PDF, 2026 forms) · City of Auburn — 2026 Fee Schedule (PDF) · City of Auburn — Business Licenses · Auburn City Code on municipal.codes (blocked) · checked 21 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• The solicitor license fee, and whether it is per rep
• What hours ACC 5.20 allows door-to-door solicitors to knock
• Whether reps must carry the license or a badge while working

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________