Caldwell, Idaho: 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 Door-to-Door or Peddler License from the City Clerk's Office before doing business in the city. It covers anyone who goes up to a home in a residential district and alerts the occupants while offering goods or any services for sale, or gathering information for a later sales contact (06-05-01). The fee is per person (06-05-11(1)). People who only leave fliers without direct contact are not covered (06-05-01).
• Where it comes from: The Caldwell City Clerk's Office, 205 S. 6th Avenue; the chief of police reviews each application and the background check results (06-05-10).
• Fee: $55 for the Door to Door Solicitor or Peddler License plus $33.25 for the FBI background check, both per the City Clerk fee schedule. The code sets a per person fee by council resolution, valid for twelve months (06-05-11(1)).
• Hours you may knock: Not found. The door-to-door article's own section list has no hours section, and the rest of the code on American Legal could not be read.
• What the rep carries: The license, with the rep's photo on it, carried at all times and shown on request of any city official or anyone the rep is selling to (06-05-07(3), 06-05-11(2)). The clerk also issues a vendor card.
• What takes the time: A fingerprint-based FBI background check through the Idaho State Police (06-05-07(4)); the city says to allow approximately 2-3 weeks. Police review the application within five working days (06-05-10(1)). A violent felony, a sex-offender registration, any felony in the last ten years, or certain misdemeanors in the last five years blocks the license (06-05-10(2)). Bring a 2x2 photo and proof of registration and insurance for any vehicle used, even just to reach the area (06-05-07(3), (5)).
• Code: Caldwell City Code, Chapter 6, Article 5 — Door to Door Salesmen (06-05-01 to 06-05-17), as reprinted in the city's Peddler License packet. The code on American Legal could not be read for this card.
• Worth knowing: No entering premises posted "No Peddlers Allowed" or "No Solicitation Allowed", and no continuing once a person says they do not want to buy (06-05-13). No licensee may operate within a parade route (06-05-08). A company that causes or permits its reps to violate the article gets a warning, notice to its state licensing agency, then misdemeanors (06-05-17(3)).
• Read it yourself: City of Caldwell — Clerk Forms (fee schedule and peddler application) · City of Caldwell — Peddler License application packet, with Caldwell City Code Chapter 6, Article 5 (Door to Door Salesmen) attached · City of Caldwell — Municipal Code · checked 22 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether any city code section sets knocking hours for door-to-door salespersons
• What the renewal fee is (06-05-11 leaves it to council resolution)
• Whether reps can start knocking while the FBI background check is pending

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________