Baton Rouge, Louisiana: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a house-to-house peddler permit for every rep, plus a photo ID badge worn while knocking. The code calls uninvited house-to-house selling of goods or services a nuisance unless the rep holds the permit (12:200(b)(3)). It covers the whole city-parish.
• Where it comes from: The East Baton Rouge Parish Finance Department, Revenue Division, issues the permit. The City Constable’s office issues the clearance certificate and makes the badge (12:200(c), (d)). The city posts the application and the steps.
• Fee: $10 permit fee per applicant, set in the code (12:200(c)(1)), plus a $15 clearance certificate and ID badge fee collected for the Constable — both paid to the city-parish. The State Police background check is separate: the city’s steps sheet lists $36, paid to the State Police.
• Hours you may knock: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (12:200(b)(1)). No knocking at a home posted “No Solicitation,” or in a subdivision whose homeowners’ association has posted no-peddling signs at each entrance.
• What the rep carries: The permit on their person, shown with ID on demand to an occupant or an officer, and the photo identification badge worn in a conspicuous place (12:200(b)(3)c, 12:200(d)(2)).
• What takes the time: Three stops. A “Right to Review” background check from the Louisiana State Police, then a clearance certificate from the City Constable, then the permit at Finance-Revenue, then back to the Constable for the badge. The city’s steps sheet says the certificate may take 3-5 days and the badge 1-2 days. The Constable checks the sex offender registry and the last seven years for crimes of violence and offenses against property (12:200(c)(1)e).
• Code: Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Code of Ordinances, Title 12, Chapter 3, Part II, House-to-House Peddlers, 12:200 to 12:202; No Soliciting sign rule at 12:152(a)(1)c. Section 12:200 was last amended by Ord. No. 15790, 10-8-14.
• Worth knowing: Whole subdivisions can be off limits: a homeowners’ association can post no-peddling signs at every entrance (12:200(b)(1)b), and the Revenue Division keeps a No Solicitation Subdivisions page. The penalty section adds revocation of the peddler permit for two years per violation (12:202). Religious, political and charitable solicitation is not peddling under this part.
• Read it yourself: Baton Rouge Code 12:200, House-to-house peddling as nuisance · Steps to Obtain a Peddler Permit and ID Badge in East Baton Rouge Parish · Finance Department, Peddler Permit Information · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: How long the peddler permit lasts and what renewal costs; Whether the $15 clearance certificate and badge fee is still current; The current list of no-solicitation subdivisions. Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________