Chesapeake, Virginia: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes: a door-to-door vendor permit from the Police Department, and every rep needs their own. The code says a separate permit must be obtained by each person, whether or not they are an employee or agent of a business (58-2 b). It covers anyone going from one home to another offering goods or services, or soliciting information related to them (58-2 a).
• Where it comes from: Chesapeake City Code section 58-2, Door-to-door vendors, in Chapter 58, Article I. The Police Department takes the application and issues the permit.
• Fee: $20.00 per applicant, payable to the city police department when the application is filed. It covers administrative and investigation costs and the photograph, and it is not returned if the permit is refused (58-2 c 8). Replacement identification cards are $5.00 (58-2 c 9).
• Hours you may knock: 8:00 a.m. to sunset (58-2 e).
• What the rep carries: The registration or identification card issued with the permit, with the rep's photo and the issue and expiration dates on it. Carry it while selling and show it to anyone who asks (58-2 f).
• What takes the time: The police review. The application gives the rep's criminal record with written consent for the department to pull criminal history, plus two written personal references (58-2 c). If reps take payment or a deposit before final delivery, a bond goes in with the application: $500.00 for one applicant, or a single company bond figured at $400.00 times the number of agents, subject to police approval (58-2 d). The code gives no processing time.
• Code: Chesapeake City Code 58-2 (Code 1970, 21A-02; Ord. of 12-20-83, amended through Ord. No. 24-O-060, 6-11-24). Municode showed the code as "Version: Jun 4, 2026 (current)" on the day checked.
• Worth knowing: The permit comes first: it has to be in hand before the city issues the business license (58-2 h). It runs 12 months from the date of issuance (58-2 e). Selling door to door without one is a class 1 misdemeanor; other violations of the section carry a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 (58-2 i). A felony, or a misdemeanor involving fraud, misrepresentation or moral turpitude, is grounds to refuse or revoke (58-2 g).
• Read it yourself: Chesapeake City Code section 58-2, Door-to-door vendors · checked 18 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: How long does the police review take from application to card? Where is the application filed, and does each rep have to appear in person for the photograph? Is there a No Soliciting sign rule that binds permit holders? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________