Edinburg, Texas: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — an itinerant vendor permit. An "itinerant vendor" is any person who sells or solicits sales from house to house or place to place in the city, other than charitable, religious or publication solicitation (113.30). Any itinerant vendor, and any agent or employee of one, who sells or takes orders in the city is required to have the permit (113.34). The same definition says it does not include any person engaged in interstate commerce, which the code defines as taking orders for goods or services that are in another state when the order is taken and shipped into the city to fill it (113.30).
• Where it comes from: The Building Official takes the sworn application and issues the permit; the application is forwarded to the Police Chief for a reputation and background inquiry (113.35, 113.38).
• Fee: $125.00 for the itinerant vendor permit, paid before it is issued (113.37). Each applicant also furnishes a $5,000.00 bond with a corporate surety that has authorized agents in Hidalgo County, kept in force for the life of the license, any renewals, and two years after (113.36). The code does not say how long a permit lasts or whether the fee is per company or per rep.
• Hours you may knock: The itinerant vendor subchapter sets no knocking hours (113.30 to 113.38).
• What the rep carries: The subchapter names no badge or ID card and has no display rule for itinerant vendors. The permit itself is the only city document it mentions (113.38).
• What takes the time: The application must be filed at least 30 days before the start date (113.35). The Police Chief runs an inquiry into the reputation and background, including criminal history, of the applicant and his or her employees (113.35(H)). The file also needs the $5,000.00 surety bond, a copy of a valid state sales tax certificate or proof of exemption, a tax certificate showing no delinquent city taxes, and for a corporation a certified copy of its charter and, if out of state, its permit to do business in Texas (113.35(E)-(G), 113.36).
• Code: Edinburg Code of Ordinances Chapter 113, Miscellaneous Sales, Itinerant Vendors (113.30 to 113.38, 113.99; Ord. 2944, passed 1-18-05). Municode shows the code as codified through Ordinance No. 2026-5214, enacted June 2, 2026 (Supp. No. 14).
• Worth knowing: No selling of any kind on a public street, right-of-way easement, sidewalk or alley unless the subchapter allows it (113.31(A)). A violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor with a fine not exceeding $500.00, each day a separate offense (113.99). The subchapter has no "No Soliciting" sign rule and no registry.
• Read it yourself: Edinburg Code of Ordinances Chapter 113, Miscellaneous Sales · Edinburg Code of Ordinances, title page · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Is the $125.00 permit and $5,000.00 bond per company, or does every rep need one?
• How long is an itinerant vendor permit good for?
• Does the city treat a team taking orders for an out-of-state provider as interstate commerce under 113.30?
• Does the city enforce any hours for door-to-door sales?

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________