Corpus Christi, Texas: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a permit for the business, plus a city identification card for every individual doing home solicitation. The permit is worn "attached or hung" on the rep so it is visible (38-5). It applies to a peddler or commercial solicitor "without a permanent business establishment within the city" going house to house (38-2).
• Where it comes from: Filed as a sworn application with the city manager or designee (38-6). The city's Vendor Application (Form DSD-1022, with a Commercial Solicitor box) is a Development Services form, 2406 Leopard St.
• Fee: $120.00 per year for the permit (38-9(b)), plus $10.00 for each rep's identification card, paid by the permittee; replacement cards are $10.00 each (38-9(d)). So a company pays $120.00 once a year, plus $10.00 for each rep it puts on doors. Any state, federal or third-party background report fees are on the applicant on top of that (38-7). Interstate-commerce solicitors taking orders for future delivery get a certificate of registration instead, for $25.00 (38-4).
• Hours you may knock: Not before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. during standard time, and not before 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time, without a prior invitation from the occupants (38-16(1)).
• What the rep carries: The permit, attached or hung on the rep and visible to the public (38-5), and the city identification card, shown to any person who asks (38-16(5)).
• What takes the time: A criminal history check on the applicant and every individual representative (38-7(b)); anyone who lived outside Texas in the last five years needs a fingerprint-based check (38-7(a)(2)). The application also calls for proof of general liability insurance of $1,000,000.00 naming the city as additional insured (38-7(a)(8)), a state sales tax certificate if applicable, and photo ID for every rep. Once the application is complete the city has five working days to issue or deny (38-12).
• Code: Corpus Christi Code Chapter 38, Article I (38-1 to 38-25). Municode shows the code as codified through Ordinance No. 033940, enacted June 2, 2026 (Supp. No. 44).
• Worth knowing: No soliciting at any residence or business with a "No Soliciting" or "No Trespassing" sign posted (38-16(7)). The interstate-commerce certificate of registration and its ID cards last only ninety days (38-4(c)); the regular permit lasts one year (38-9(a)). The applicant is responsible for every rep's compliance, whether employee, agent or independent contractor (38-7(a)(6)), and must report added reps within five days (38-7(c)). Permits are suspended in a declared emergency or disaster for goods or services useful to the relief (38-13).
• Read it yourself: Corpus Christi Code Chapter 38, Article I · City of Corpus Christi Vendor Application, Form DSD-1022 (Rev. 10/2025) · checked 18 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Which track applies to us: the $120.00 permit or the $25.00 interstate-commerce certificate of registration? What the background check costs per rep and how long the fingerprint-based check takes; Whether the $1,000,000.00 liability insurance is required for door-to-door solicitors or only for vendors. Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________