Berkeley, California: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes. Berkeley requires each individual peddler or solicitor to hold both an unrevoked City license and a Police Department permit before going door to door (9.40.030, 9.40.040).
• Where it comes from: The permit application goes to the Police Department; the license itself (and the business license tax that must be paid before the permit is released) is handled by the Finance Department's tax and license administrator (9.40.040, 9.40.070).
• Fee: A five-dollar application fee to the Police Department to cover processing (9.40.040), plus a $258.00 annual peddlers-and-solicitors business license tax per person under 9.04.200 and the flat-rate fee table at 9.04.235, then a one-dollar permit renewal fee each year after the first (9.40.080).
• Hours you may knock: Eight a.m. to seven p.m. It is unlawful for any person to peddle or solicit before the hour of eight a.m. or after the hour of seven p.m. of any day (9.40.180).
• What the rep carries: The solicitor's or peddler's license and the Police Department permit, in immediate possession at all times while working, displayed on demand to any police officer or to anyone being solicited (9.40.140).
• What takes the time: Fingerprints and thumbprints, taken by the Police Department, plus at least two references as to the applicant's moral character, honesty and integrity, on the application itself (9.40.040). The Police Department can deny the permit for fraud or misrepresentation on the application, or a felony or crime-of-moral-turpitude conviction (9.40.050).
• Code: Berkeley Municipal Code, Title 9, Business Licenses and Regulations: Chapter 9.40, Peddlers and Solicitors (permit, hours, conduct), and 9.04.200 plus 9.04.235 in Chapter 9.04, Business Licenses (the annual tax).
• Worth knowing: It is unlawful to knock or ring the bell at any building displaying a "No Peddlers," "No Solicitors" or "No Agents" sign, or any sign that otherwise purports to prohibit it (9.40.170). The permit is not transferable and may not be used by anyone other than the person it was issued to (9.40.090). A vehicle used for peddling or soliciting must carry a windshield sticker from the tax and license administrator (9.40.150). Newspaper, ice, bakery-route and milk/dairy-route sellers, and wholesale salesmen selling to retail dealers for resale, are exempt from this chapter (9.40.020) — that exemption does not cover a for-profit residential sales rep.
• Read it yourself: Berkeley Municipal Code, Chapter 9.40, Peddlers and Solicitors · Berkeley Municipal Code 9.04.200, Peddlers and solicitors · Berkeley Municipal Code 9.04.235, Flat rates and fees · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: How long the Police Department's fingerprint and background review typically takes before a permit is issued; Whether the $258 annual tax is prorated for a permit issued partway through the year; Whether the city keeps a separate do-not-solicit or no-knock registry beyond the posted-sign rule. Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________