Farmington Hills, Michigan: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a peddler license from the City Clerk (20-4(a)). Taking orders for goods or for services to be performed in the future, house to house, is peddling, and "peddler" includes commercial solicitors and canvassers (20-2). The application is filed by the individual applicant with his or her own photos and background report, so it is one license per rep (20-4(b)). The no-fee solicitor registration is only for charitable, religious or political groups (20-3).
• Where it comes from: The Office of the City Clerk. The clerk and the police chief both review the application; the city's form shows it is sent to the Police Department for approval (20-4(d)).
• Fee: The code leaves the fee to council resolution (20-4(c)). The city's peddler license application lists Fee: $50.00, non-refundable, valid for 120 days. Peddling out of a vehicle adds a $40 non-refundable police vehicle inspection.
• Hours you may knock: No peddling after 8:00 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier, or before 10:00 a.m., prevailing time (20-9).
• What the rep carries: The peddler license, visibly displayed on the outside of the clothes at all times, and handed over on request to any police officer, city employee or person dealing with the rep (20-10).
• What takes the time: A criminal history report through Michigan's ICHAT (or the home state's source) dated within 30 days of applying, two color photos, a copy of the driver's license, and the rep's Michigan sales tax license number or basis for exemption (20-4(b)). Convictions within ten years for theft, fraud, violence or sexual offenses, or any outstanding warrant, can bar the license (20-4(d)). No processing time is published.
• Code: Farmington Hills Code of Ordinances, Chapter 20 — Solicitors and Peddlers (20-1 to 20-19). Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. C-9-2025, adopted October 27, 2025 (Supp. No. 36).
• Worth knowing: The license runs up to 120 days, as the clerk decides (20-4(f)). No knocking at a door posted "no peddling," "no solicitation," "no soliciting" or "no trespassing," or anywhere in a subdivision or condo with such a sign at each entrance (20-17). Leave when asked (20-18). Material changes to the application must be reported to the clerk within seven calendar days (20-7).
• Read it yourself: Farmington Hills Code of Ordinances, Chapter 20 — Solicitors and Peddlers · City of Farmington Hills — Peddler License Application (PDF) · City of Farmington Hills — City Clerk Permits/Licenses · Farmington Hills Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 22 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether the $50.00 fee on the peddler application (revised 2013) is still the current council-set fee
• How many business days the clerk and police review usually takes
• Whether the license dates can be set to the full 120 days for a sales team

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________