Evanston, Illinois: 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: Unclear for reps who only take orders. The code requires a peddler license from the City Collector to sell goods at the doors of residences (3-11-2), but its definition of peddling excludes taking orders by sample where the goods are not delivered when the order is taken (3-11-1), and Chapter 11 has no separate solicitor license. The city's Business Registration page, however, lists a "Peddler, Solicitor, or Street Musicians" license for door-to-door sales or canvassing, handled by Economic Development through a 311 request. Confirm with the city before knocking.
• Where it comes from: Peddler license: application to the City Collector (3-11-2). The city page routes the peddler/solicitor license to Economic Development via a 311 request.
• Fee: Annual peddler license: pack peddler $ 50.00 (3-11-3). No fee is published for a solicitor who only takes orders.
• Hours you may knock: No knocking or ringing to solicit prior to 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or at any time on a Sunday or on a state or national holiday (9-5-25(B)3). Soliciting here expressly includes seeking orders or customers for goods or services (9-5-25(A)).
• What the rep carries: A licensed peddler wears the city's "Evanston Peddler's License" photo ID card, conspicuously displayed on the outer garment at all times while working (3-11-4). No carry rule is published for order-takers.
• What takes the time: Peddler registration asks for twelve months of residence history, two references who have known the rep at least a year, and two photographs (3-11-2). No processing time is published.
• Code: Evanston City Code, Title 3, Chapter 11 — Peddlers and Solicitors (3-11-1 to 3-11-12), and Title 9, Chapter 5, Section 9-5-25 — Panhandling and Soliciting. Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 39-O-26, enacted May 11, 2026 (Supp. No. 22, Update 1).
• Worth knowing: No soliciting at premises posted with a "NO SOLICITORS ALLOWED" or "NO SOLICITING" card near the main entrance, or after an oral notice from the owner or occupant (9-5-25(B)5, (D)). Aggressive soliciting, including repeating a request to someone on their own premises after they refused, is unlawful (9-5-25(C)).
• Read it yourself: Evanston City Code, Title 3, Chapter 11 — Peddlers and Solicitors · Evanston City Code, Title 9, Chapter 5 — General Offenses (9-5-25) · City of Evanston — Business Registration · Evanston Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 22 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Does a rep who only takes orders for a service (no goods delivered at the door) need the peddler/solicitor license?
• If so, what is the fee, and is it per rep or per company?
• How long does the license take after the 311 request?

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________